The Oklahoma City Thunder have traded Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons for two future second-round picks. This move comes after the Thunder's quest to repeat as champions fell short this past season. With a salary cap crunch looming, the team has been looking to shed salary and create space.
What happened?
The Thunder traded Isaiah Joe to the Pistons, a team looking to add scoring help for Cade Cunningham. Joe's value comes from his ability to knock down threes at a high clip, averaging 11.1 points per game in the 2025-26 campaign. He shot 42.3% from behind the arc, his best mark through six seasons.
Why it matters for Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder have done a great job finding star players, but also unearthing diamonds in the rough like Joe. He went from the No. 49 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft to helping OKC win the 2025 NBA Finals. However, his role in head coach Mark Daigneault's rotation largely disappeared in the playoffs.
What comes next?
The Thunder's offseason plan is beginning to come into focus. With Aaron Wiggins gone and Joe traded, the front office will need to address the backcourt. They will look to find a guy who can allow Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams to get rest on the bench.
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| 2025-03-17 | Milwaukee Bucks 105-121 Oklahoma City Thunder |
The Thunder are on a 2-game winning run, with a recent form of 2W-0D-0L. As the offseason continues, the team will look to fill in the gaps on its roster and make a push for another championship.
