Why Thunder traded Isaiah Joe to Pistons for two second-round picks

The Oklahoma City Thunder have one of the most productive NBA franchises to begin the offseason. 

After trading Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks for two second round picks last Sunday, the 2025 NBA champions cut ties with 26-year-old sharpshooter Isaiah Joe via a Friday morning trade to the Detroit Pistons. 

“Just in: The Oklahoma City Thunder are trading sharpshooter Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons for two future second-round picks,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on X/Twitter.

While Joe was a valuable floor spacer for the Thunder the past four years, Oklahoma City’s decision to move on from him had far more to do with cutting cost than anything else. 

According to NBA reporter Evan Sidery, the Thunder will save a lot of money by sending Joe packing this summer.

"The Thunder are actively shopping Isaiah Joe in trade talks after drafting Bennett Stirtz,” Sidery stated before the trade. “Stirtz will step into Joe’s role as a sharpshooter while saving OKC millions in tax bills.”

Joe, who signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Thunder in 2024, averaged 11.1 points per game this past season, shooting 45.5% from the field and 42.3% from beyond the arc. From the Pistons’ vantage point, they’ll receive a lights-out three-point sniper who has experience contributing on the big stage. 

Simply put, the trade is a win-win for both sides.