The Los Angeles Lakers need help in the frontcourt. The Detroit Pistons need more offense around Cade Cunningham. Few teams are better suited to work with each other this summer to satisfy one another's desired upgrades.
The Athletic's lead NBA insider, Sam Amick, reported that Detroit was ready to sacrifice a major part of their team to give themselves more on the offensive end. It just so happens that player would fit in well with the what the Lakers are looking for at center.
"League sources say Detroit Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart is available. The Pistons, in search of additional shooting and playmakers, appear ready to rely on seventh-year big man Paul Reed in an increased role. Stewart has two years and a combined $30 million left on his deal."
Stewart may not be an A-list center, but there is plenty of reason to envision a successful union between him and the Lakers. Based off what the Pistons want, this could be as simple as swapping Rui Hachimura going back in the other direction.
Trading Rui Hachimura for Isaiah Stewart could work for both the Lakers and Pistons
Hachimura is in search of a new deal this summer, and the Lakers are not positioned well to grant him that bag of money. If the Lakers want LeBron James back this summer, and still want an opportunity to retool the roster, Rui's future has few guarantees in Los Angeles.
Doing business on a sign-and-trade with the Pistons would allow the Lakers to retain some value from the departing Hachimura and get him to the team who can give him the money he earned. Stewart's $15 million is a good starting point for the bag Rui could get in free agency.
The defensive impact of the Pistons center is what should be most attractive for the Lakers in a potential swap here. Stewart is a strong option to hold down the middle and is coming off a year in which he averaged a career-high 1.6 blocks per game. His mobility also stands out for someone his size.
Offensively, Luka Doncic is the type of player who can make just about any center better. Stewart's modest ability to stretch the court should even offer JJ Redick an intriguing dynamic to fiddle with when constructing the Lakers' gameplan next season.
Depending on how the Lakers choose to operate in free agency this offseason, finding a beneficial sign-and-trade for one of their own departing guys could serve them well. Stewart should be available in a return package, should Los Angeles be willing to help Detroit land Hachimura.
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