How Isaiah Joe increases Pistons’ title chances as championship contenders

Amid an NBA landscape where teams follow All-Stars’ lead and depth is critical, the Detroit Pistons improved by adding Isaiah Joe in a trade for two future second-round picks from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Joe brings high-powered shooting to the Pistons, a team that finished 60-22 at the top of the Eastern Conference standings, but saw their season come to an end at the hands of the Cleveland Cavs.

Looking to build off their Game 7 loss in the second round of the playoffs, the Pistons added an efficient top-10 shooter, who connected on 42.3% of his 3-point attempts last season. He also averaged a career-best 11.1 points on 45.5% shooting, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.7 steals in 21.2 minutes for the Thunder last season.

While players such as Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins fell out of Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault’s rotation when reaching the Western Conference Finals, I-Joe was one of his most reliable sources of offensive production throughout the season. A shorthanded Thunder team, playing without starting forward Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, leaned heavily on defensive-first guards and forwards to combat the Spurs’ explosive offense.

For defensive purposes, Daigneault increased playing time for bench guys such as Kenrich Williams, Cason Wallace, and Jared McCain. Trading Wiggins and Joe in their respective cost-cutting trades isn’t indicative of players underperforming, but rather the Thunder’s attempts to lower their tax bill, which they did by over $200 million in those two moves alone.

With Thunder All-Star Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams’ respective max deals kicking in for the 2026-27 season, the front office made moves for draft capital, which the Pistons did an excellent job of taking full advantage of. However, as the Pistons enter free agency, will their front office make a significant signing to bolster their roster, or extend All-Star Jalen Duren’s current contract as their lone priority of the summer?

Plus, by adding Isaiah Joe, will the Pistons look to move Duncan Robinson ahead of inking Duren to a new deal?

Is Duncan Robinson’s future with Pistons in question after Isaiah Joe trade?

After parting ways with two future second-round picks, did the Pistons trade for Duncan Robinson’s replacement? Given the fact that the Pistons and All-Star Jalen Duren’s contract negotiations are reportedly ongoing, there’s some belief that they could part ways with the starting 3-point shooting guard, according to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.

“After trading for a 3-point specialist, many around the league are now wondering whether this will lead to Duncan Robinson’s departure,” Siegel wrote.

“With the Pistons angling themselves to pursue Norman Powell and others in free agency, Robinson’s contract could become vital to free up needed funds.”

Duren’s reported disappointment in the initial contract offer suggests the Pistons could either move Robinson or explore alternative sign-and-trade options, as The Athletic’s Sam Amick noted.

“All-NBA forward Jalen Duren was underwhelmed by the Detroit Pistons’ initial offer in restricted free agency and is planning to explore sign-and-trade scenarios when they are permitted on Tuesday, league sources told The Athletic,” Amick reported.

This is one of the few reasons why the Pistons’ trade for Isaiah Joe gives them some roster flexibility. If or when they need to trade Robinson for assets, they’ll have a viable replacement for a fraction of the cost, as Joe’s deal for the 2026-27 season is worth $11.3 million compared to the $15.9 million owed to Duncan.

Is Isaiah Joe prepared for an increased role with the Pistons?

While the Thunder’s Isaiah Joe trade to the Pistons is mutually beneficial for both teams, each under somewhat dire stress for different reasons, Joe has an opportunity to maximize an expanded role that most likely wouldn’t have been available to him with the Thunder.

After trading for second-year guard Jared McCain, the Thunder received a younger option who could take over Joe’s role off the bench. Fortunately for the Pistons, Joe is approaching his prime years, coming off the most productive season of his career. He averaged a career-best in several statistical categories, including points (11.1), 3-point percentage (42.3%), and steals (0.7) in 21.2 minutes per game.

Last season, with the shorthanded Thunder missing Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Lu Dort at various points in the regular season, fans got a glimpse of what Joe could do with extended playing time. He tallied 30+ points on three separate occasions, including a 32-point performance, where he connected on a career-high 10 threes in a win against the Jazz.

The future is bright for Isaiah Joe and the Pistons, albeit taking on a sixth-man role off the bench or a starting job; it’s safe to say, the best version of Joe is on the way.

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