The Oklahoma City Thunder have also traded Isaiah Joe. The shooter is being sent to the Detroit Pistons.
According to Shams Charania (ESPN), the Thunder will receive two second-round picks from the Pistons in return. This allows the 2025 champions to save even more money, following the trade of Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks just a few days ago.
Joe played a total of four seasons for the Thunder and developed into a reliable role player whose strength was his shooting. In each of his years in OKC, the 26-year-old shot at least 40.9 percent from beyond the arc. Last season, the guard averaged 11.1 points in 21 minutes, though he didn’t play a major role during the playoffs.
His services are likely to be appreciated in Detroit, however, as the Pistons are looking to add more shooting around franchise star Cade Cunningham. Joe will earn $11.3 million next season, and there is a team option for an additional year at the same amount.
Thunder Save Money
With this move, the Thunder save money and also free up another roster spot to sign rookies Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz. At the same time, it paves the way to avoid the dreaded second-tier salary cap if they want to retain Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort, and/or Kenrich Williams.
So it came as no surprise that, just a few hours later, the Thunder were able to agree to a new three-year contract with Hartenstein at slightly lower terms. OKC did not exercise the team option worth $28.5 million and instead signed the German to a three-year deal worth $75 million.
