The Detroit Pistons address a significant issue by acquiring a sharpshooter from OKC. Meanwhile, the Thunder continue to save money to retain other players.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have orchestrated another trade in the NBA. OKC is parting ways with Isaiah Joe, receiving two second-round picks from the Detroit Pistons in return. Insider Shams Charania (ESPN) was the first to report on the deal on Friday, which could be of great significance for Isaiah Hartenstein.
Thanks to the trade, the Thunder free up a roster spot and some cap space. Joe is set to earn $11.3 million next season and has a player option for the same amount in the 2027/2028 season.
This is not the first cost-saving measure by GM Sam Presti, who just a few days ago sent Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for two second-rounders. With the latest deal, the Thunder are currently $14.8 million under the luxury tax, $22.8 million under the first apron, and $35.8 million under the second apron, which they are determined to avoid.
The contracts for Hartenstein, Lu Dort, and Kenrich Williams are not yet included in these calculations. OKC holds a team option for each of these three players. All three have already publicly expressed their desire to play for the 2025 champion next season, but may have to accept short-term salary reductions.
This applies particularly to Hartenstein, whose $28.5 million option is by far the most expensive of the three. However, the Thunder have significantly more breathing room thanks to their recent moves.
OKC Already Secured Joe’s Successor in the Draft
OKC had already prepared for Joe’s departure during this week’s draft. In the first round, Presti used two second-rounders in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies to acquire the next cost-effective youngster, Aday Mara (#12), with the 14th pick. With Bennett Stirtz, the Thunder secured the rights to a guard who recently averaged seven three-pointers per game in college.
Joe has long been known as a sharpshooter for the Thunder, consistently shooting over 40 percent from beyond the arc since his move from the Philadelphia 76ers over the past four years. In the last two seasons, under Head Coach Mark Daigneault, he averaged over 20 minutes on the court and scored in double figures.
The Three-Pointer as a Major Pistons Problem: Joe to Help Cunningham
His shooting is expected to address a major weakness for the Pistons. The surprising top seed in the East had the third-fewest three-pointers made among all 30 NBA teams in the regular season. This allowed superstar Cade Cunningham to be consistently double-teamed and the paint to be clogged.
In the first round of the playoffs, the Pistons narrowly defeated the Orlando Magic in seven games after Franz Wagner’s injury, but were eliminated in the second round by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
A spectacular offseason awaits in Motor City as they aim to contend for a title next year. The trade for Joe is likely just the beginning. Detroit has recently been linked to Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics. Previously, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, and Tyler Herro were also rumored to be headed to Detroit.
NBA: Isaiah Joe’s Statistics in the 2025/2026 Season
| Season Phase | GP | MIN | PTS | FG% | 3FG% | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 71 | 21.2 | 11.1 | 45.5 | 42.3 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| Playoffs | 13 | 11.0 | 4.8 | 41.8 | 34.8 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.4 |