The Detroit Pistons addressed their largest need– three-point shooting– by acquiring six-year NBA vet Isaiah Joe from the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier today
If the NBA Draft was any indication, the Detroit Pistons planned to be very active during the offseason as they work to reshape their roster, in turn covering the perimeter shooting and self-creation gaps that were glaringly obvious during the playoffs. Quite frankly, in the postseason Cade Cunningham was the only true playmaker on the squad, and Duncan Robinson served as the team’s lone deep threat from three-point range, so the Pistons had a few objectives on hand when they entered the offseason.
During the draft, the Pistons traded up for Ebuka Okorie, who’s an elite shot creator in his own right, before executing another trade to pick up shot-blocking big man Ugonna Onyenso out of Virginia at the tail end of round two. Okorie, a Stanford point guard, will help the Pistons generate scoring on his own, while Onyenso checked in as one of college basketball’s most feared shot-swatters last season. And since the Pistons dealt Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies on day two of the draft, Onyenso should help bridge that gap defensively once he develops at the pro level.
But regardless of those transactions, Detroit’s most impactful move may have occurred earlier today when the Pistons worked out a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder that will send six-year NBA vet Isaiah Joe to Motown in exchange for a pair of future second round draft picks.
Over the last four seasons with the Thunder, Joe has increased his long-range efficiency to over 40% from three-point range, so today’s acquisition immediately gives the Pistons another sharp-shooter to use alongside Robinson on the perimeter. While with OKC, Joe’s playing time floated around 20 minutes per game, so he didn’t necessarily have the most volume while a member of the Thunder, but the Arkansas product proved that he is one of the more reliable downtown shooters in the game today.
Since the Pistons only had to expend a pair of second-rounders to complete the deal, Joe’s acquisition can be looked at as a low-risk, high-reward move to provide Cunningham with some more three-point shooting support. Joe, who is listed at 6-4 and 165 pounds according to ESPN, will slot into Detroit’s backcourt for the coming season, but he’ll likely compete with Robinson for a starting role given the fact that his playstyle aligns closer to Duncan’s than anyone else on the squad.
Last season, Joe averaged 11.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game, so the bulk of his offensive contributions came from beyond the arc. Since Cunningham primarily handles the playmaking in the Motor City and the team’s big men dominated the paint last year, Joe’s role should be very clearly defined as that of a long-range marksman who is dangerous with the three-ball.
With both Joe and Okorie in the mix moving forward, the Pistons have seven guards on the roster with Cunningham, Daniss Jenkins, Marcus Sasser, Caris LeVert and Chaz Lanier all returning for another go-around as well.
A couple years back, Joe signed a four-year, $48 million deal with the Thunder with a club option for the final year. What that means is that Joe is scheduled to make just over $11 million this season, and the Pistons will have the option to move off of his contract next summer if he doesn’t work out in Detroit, giving the team even more optionality in the future.
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