Pistons Add Isaiah Joe as Thunder Continue Offseason Roster Changes
Jesse M. Cox Published 28/06/2026
NBA News continues to focus on one of the latest NBA trades, as the Detroit Pistons reportedly acquired Isaiah Joe from the Oklahoma City Thunder. The deal has quickly become one of the more talked-about stories in NBA News, with analysts viewing it as one of the smarter NBA trades of the offseason.
For the Pistons, the trade is about building on last season's success. After winning 60 games and reaching the Eastern Conference semifinals, Detroit entered the offseason looking for more spacing and scoring around Cunningham.
Joe's arrival also highlights how teams continue investing in NBA Players who can fill specialized roles. While attention often shifts toward rising stars in the NBA, experienced shooters like Joe remain valuable pieces for playoff contenders.
Key Takeaways
The Detroit Pistons have acquired sharpshooter Isaiah Joe from the Oklahoma City Thunder, a move aimed at improving their spacing and offensive firepower around Cade Cunningham.
- Isaiah Joe's addition provides the Pistons with a proven three-point shooter, averaging 11.1 points per game and shooting 42.3% from beyond the arc last season, which is expected to create more offensive opportunities for Cade Cunningham.
- The trade signifies the Thunder's ongoing roster retooling and long-term financial planning, as they moved Joe to gain flexibility and create opportunities for younger players, despite his recent success.
- Joe's career resurgence with the Thunder, transforming from a waived second-round pick into a reliable high-volume shooter, highlights the impact of player development and a change of scenery in the NBA.
NBA trades: Detroit adds a proven shooter
Joe is coming off the best season of his career, averaging 11.1 points per game while shooting 42.3% from three-point range. He made 181 three-pointers during the 2025-26 season, placing him among the NBA's most accurate high-volume shooters and making him a valuable addition to Detroit's rotation.
His shooting should create more room for Cunningham to attack defenses and could make the Pistons' offense more difficult to contain. Joe is expected to provide instant offense off the bench, though his skill set gives head coach J.B. Bickerstaff flexibility to use him in different lineup combinations.
The move also adds another experienced contributor to a roster that already includes capable perimeter shooters such as Duncan Robinson. As NBA Players continue changing teams during the offseason, Detroit's front office appears focused on surrounding Cunningham with players who can score without needing the ball in their hands for long stretches.
A career revived in Oklahoma City
Joe's rise has been one of the better development stories in recent years. Joe entered the NBA as a second-round pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2020, but regular playing time was difficult to come by. He averaged 3.7 points per game across two seasons before being released after the 2021-22 campaign.
Thunder Trade Isaiah Joe To Pistons For 2 Second-Round Picks
Oklahoma City signed him just days later, and the change of scenery transformed his career. Over four seasons with the Thunder, Joe became a dependable reserve, averaging 9.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while establishing himself as one of the league's most trusted three-point shooters.
Why the Thunder moved on
Despite Joe's success, the trade reflects Oklahoma City's long-term planning. The Thunder have been active in reshaping their roster, recently moving Aaron Wiggins and adding young talent through the draft, including Bennett Stirtz and Otega Oweh.
Those decisions have fueled trade rumors and speculation about how the Thunder will manage a roster filled with talented young players. Moving Joe's contract provides additional financial flexibility as the organization prepares for future extensions involving its core stars.
The deal also highlights the constant balancing act facing championship contenders. Oklahoma City keeps its foundation intact while creating room for younger contributors, while Detroit adds a proven shooter entering his prime.
As Off-season NBA drama continues across the league, this trade stands out as a move that could benefit both sides. The Thunder gain future assets and flexibility, while the Pistons add a player who has already shown he can contribute on a championship team. For a Detroit franchise hoping to remain among the Eastern Conference's elite, Joe may become one of the more important additions of the summer.
His journey from a waived second-round pick to a respected sharpshooter also serves as a reminder that player development can change careers quickly. In a league constantly searching for the next group of rising stars in the NBA and future candidates for NBA awards and recognitions, Joe has already proven he can carve out a valuable role on a winning team.
Although Joe is not typically mentioned among candidates for major NBA awards and recognitions, his consistency has helped him become one of the league's respected role players. His development also shows how rising stars in the NBA are not always lottery picks, and strong performances can eventually lead to greater NBA awards and recognitions or larger roles.