The Detroit Pistons wasted little time addressing one of their biggest offseason priorities, acquiring Isaiah Joe from the Oklahoma City Thunder for two second-round picks. In return, Detroit lands one of the NBA’s premier three-point shooters without sacrificing significant draft capital.
Entering the offseason, the Pistons needed more perimeter shooting and secondary shot creation around Cade Cunningham. They addressed the latter in the 2026 NBA Draft by trading up to select Ebuka Okorie, while replacing Isaiah Stewart’s interior presence with elite shot blocker Ugonna Onyenso. Now, by adding Joe, Detroit has taken another significant step toward building a more balanced offense.
The Pistons are expected to remain aggressive throughout the offseason, but adding Joe immediately fills one of their most glaring needs. How does he fit alongside Cunningham and Detroit’s young core? And could this be just the beginning of the Pistons’ pursuit of more shooting? Let’s dive in.
Isaiah Joe Gives The Pistons The Floor Spacer They Needed
The Hidden Value Joe Brings To The Pistons
On the surface, Joe gives the Pistons one of the NBA’s premier three-point shooters. His ability to sprint off screens, relocate around the perimeter, and fire immediately off the catch makes him an ideal fit alongside Cunningham. Joe’s lightning-quick release and deep shooting range force defenders to stay attached to him, opening driving lanes for Cunningham and creating more space for Detroit’s offense to operate.
However, Joe’s impact extends well beyond his shooting. Over the past few seasons, he has developed into a reliable team defender who consistently competes on every possession. While he isn’t a lockdown perimeter stopper, he rotates well, understands defensive schemes, stays in front of his assignment, and uses active hands to create deflections and disrupt passing lanes. His defensive growth has made him more than a situational shooter, allowing him to stay on the floor even when his jumper isn’t falling.
That two-way reliability is what makes Joe such a valuable addition. Instead of sacrificing defense for shooting, the Pistons are adding a player capable of spacing the floor while holding his own on the other end—an important trait for a team looking to take another step toward playoff contention.
Built To Complement, Not Carry
While Joe brings elite floor spacing to Detroit, he isn’t a primary shot creator. Most of his offense comes from catch-and-shoot opportunities, moving without the ball, or attacking scrambling defenses after hard closeouts. Asking him to consistently break down defenders off the dribble or create offense against a set defense takes him out of his comfort zone.
Joe also lacks ideal strength, which can make finishing through contact difficult and leave him vulnerable against bigger, more physical wings. While he’s developed into a capable team defender, he isn’t someone who will consistently shut down opposing stars on the perimeter.
Fortunately for the Pistons, they don’t need him to fill those roles. Joe can thrive doing what he does best—stretching the floor, moving without the basketball, and punishing defenses from beyond the arc.
One Shooter Isn’t Enough
Although adding Joe addresses one of Detroit’s biggest offseason needs, it shouldn’t prevent the front office from pursuing additional perimeter shooting.
Duncan Robinson’s future with the organization remains uncertain as the Pistons weigh their options regarding his contract. If Robinson is ultimately included in a trade package to acquire the second star Detroit has reportedly been searching for, another reliable floor spacer could quickly become a priority.
On the other hand, if Robinson remains with the team, pairing him with Joe would give the Pistons two of the league’s most respected three-point shooters. Surrounding Cunningham with multiple high-volume shooters would create more driving lanes, punish help defense, and make Detroit’s offense significantly more difficult to defend.
The Last Word
The Pistons didn’t just add another shooter—they added a player whose skill set perfectly complements the foundation they’re building around Cunningham. Joe brings elite floor spacing, relentless off-ball movement, and dependable team defense, giving Detroit another player capable of thriving without needing the ball in his hands.
While Joe won’t solve every offensive issue or become the team’s secondary creator, that’s never been his role. His value lies in making life easier for everyone around him, stretching defenses beyond the three-point line, and creating the spacing Detroit has desperately needed.
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