Pistons Acquire Isaiah Joe from Thunder in Trade

The Detroit Pistons have finalized a trade to acquire Isaiah Joe from the Oklahoma City Thunder, confirming the deal on Friday. In exchange for the sharpshooting guard, the Pistons sent two second-round picks to the Thunder. This move addresses Detroit’s need for a reliable shooter who can stretch the floor.

Isaiah Joe, who is set to celebrate his 27th birthday on July 2, boasts an impressive career average of 40.6 percent from beyond the arc, taking 4.8 attempts per game. He is coming off his best season yet, where he averaged 11.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 21.1 minutes per game, while shooting an impressive 42.3 percent from three-point range.

Joe’s contract, which has roughly $23 million over the next two years, is seen as a strategic addition for the Pistons, who are looking to enhance their perimeter game. His arrival is particularly significant as he steps into what could be a crucial role off the bench. His two-point shooting is also noteworthy, hitting 53 percent of his midrange shots last season, which placed him in the 91st percentile among players at his position.

In addition to Joe, the Pistons have drafted guard Ebuka Okorie with the No. 17 pick, possibly further diversifying their backcourt options. Joe’s presence may impact the playing time of current bench players such as Caris LeVert and Marcus Sasser.

The Thunder, looking to manage their roster needs and lighten their luxury tax, have moved a player who was part of their crowded guard rotation. With Joe’s departure, the Thunder now have 15 contracts on the books, bringing them to $18.6 million over the second apron. They may seek to make further adjustments, including a potential trade involving Lu Dort or restructuring Isaiah Hartenstein’s contract to lower their salary for the upcoming season.

As the Pistons continue to fine-tune their roster with Joe’s addition, the team is optimistic about his fit and potential impact on their performance in the upcoming NBA season.