DHJ Quick Take: Oklahoma City Could Move Isaiah Joe as Detroit Eyes Shooting
Isaiah Joe could be dealt this offseason as Oklahoma City manages luxury-tax and second-apron pressures, with Detroit among the teams interested in his shooting around Cade Cunningham.
- Who could be available? Isaiah Joe, a 42.3% 3-point shooter coming off a 10.2-point season across 71 games.
- Why would Oklahoma City move him? The Thunder are navigating luxury-tax and second-apron concerns and could look to trim his $11.3MM salary.
- Why does Detroit fit? The Pistons want perimeter shooting around Cunningham, and Joe’s stroke fills that need.
- What’s next? A deal hinges on Oklahoma City’s cap maneuvering and what Detroit is willing to send back.
Isaiah Joe has surfaced as a potential trade candidate this offseason, with the Oklahoma City Thunder weighing ways to ease their luxury-tax and second-apron burden and the Detroit Pistons registering as an interested party, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Detroit has prioritized adding outside shooting alongside Cade Cunningham, which makes a high-volume, high-efficiency floor-spacer like Joe a logical target.
Joe appeared in 71 games last season, averaging 10.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 21.7 minutes while shooting 42.3% from 3-point range. His role shrank in the postseason, where he averaged 4.8 points in 11.0 minutes across 13 games and saw limited time against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals.
Why Oklahoma City Could Move Isaiah Joe
The Thunder’s willingness to consider a trade is tied to their books rather than Joe’s play. Oklahoma City is managing luxury-tax and second-apron pressures, and Joe sits on a declining four-year, $48 million contract that pays him $11.3 million in 2026-27, with the team holding an $11.3 million option for 2027-28.
Trimming salary while still recouping value is the sort of move a deep, expensive roster often has to weigh after a long playoff run. Joe, who turns 27 in July, would give an acquiring team cost-controlled shooting on a contract that is movable without being onerous.
What Isaiah Joe Would Bring to Detroit
For the Pistons, the appeal is straightforward. Detroit has prioritized shooting and play-making around Cunningham, and Joe’s 42.3% mark from beyond the arc would address a clear need on the wing. He fits the profile of player the Pistons have been linked to as they reshape the roster, joining a group of shooters and creators the front office is believed to be pursuing this summer.
Whether a deal comes together likely depends on Oklahoma City’s broader cap maneuvering and on what Detroit is willing to send back. For now, Joe stands as one of the more available rotation pieces on a roster facing hard financial choices
More NBA Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- Boston Celtics Listening On Jaylen Brown And Derrick White As Trade Market Heats Up
- Minnesota Timberwolves Floated As Possible Trade Suitor For Ja Morant
- Bucks’ Asking Price For Giannis Antetokounmpo Labeled ‘Unrealistic’ As Heat Lead Pursuit
- Detroit Pistons Put Isaiah Stewart On Trade Block To Improve Offensively
- Minnesota Timberwolves Interested In Trading For Derrick White, Josh Giddey
- Trae Young Expected To Re-Sign With Washington Wizards; Anthony Davis Has Strong Interest In Staying
- Luka Dončić Told Los Angeles Lakers He Wants ‘A-List Center’
- Portland Trail Blazers Would Have ‘Serious Interest’ In Jaylen Brown Trade
- Warriors, Heat Interested In Trading For Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard; ‘No One’ Knows If He’s ‘Available’
- Sources: D’Angelo Russell Opts In With Washington Wizards
- Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce Have A Better Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Fit Than Miami Heat
