The Thunder have moved another rotation wing to trim payroll, sending Isaiah Joe to the Pistons for two future second-round picks, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. The deal gives Detroit one of the league’s most dependable shooters and gives Oklahoma City more breathing room as it tries to manage a tightening cap picture.
Joe has been a steady presence for Oklahoma City over the past four seasons, hitting at least 40.9% of his three-point attempts in each of the last four years. He also played in at least 71 regular-season games in every season with the Thunder, making him one of the team’s most reliable bench pieces.
What Detroit Is Getting
For the Pistons, the appeal is obvious: more spacing around Cade Cunningham. Charania reported that Detroit had been linked to Joe in the days leading up to the trade, and the fit is centered on his shooting and veteran experience.
Joe averaged 11.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 21.2 minutes per game this season across 71 appearances, including nine starts. He shot .455 from the field, .423 from three and .894 at the line, with 428 of his 543 field goal attempts coming from beyond the arc.
Why Oklahoma City Made The Move
The Thunder have been looking for ways to reduce future salary obligations, and Joe was a clear candidate as a reserve wing whose role shrank in the postseason. This spring, he appeared in 13 of Oklahoma City’s 15 playoff games but averaged just 11.0 minutes per contest.
Joe carries a guaranteed $11.3MM salary for 2026/27, plus a matching $11.3MM team option for 2027/28. How Detroit absorbs that contract will depend on other offseason decisions, but the Pistons could use the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, a trade exception from sending Isaiah Stewart to Memphis, or cap space if they choose to go under the cap.
Oklahoma City already agreed over the weekend to a similar deal involving Aaron Wiggins, who was sent to Atlanta for two future second-round picks. Clearing out roughly $20.4MM in 2026/27 salary by moving Joe and Wiggins helps the Thunder ease some of the pressure created by their projected payroll.
According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, Oklahoma City still projects to be over the second tax apron, with an estimated $234MM in salary that includes team options for Isaiah Hartenstein, Luguentz Dort and Kenrich Williams. If one or more of those options are declined, the Thunder could still create a path to avoiding the second apron.
