Long viewed as a weakness over the past few years, the Los Angeles Lakers’ 3-point shooting caught fire in the playoffs, as they boasted the second-highest percentage behind the Finals-bound New York Knicks. With some of their own perimeter marksmen heading into free agency, one potential Lakers trade target could be a key reinforcement beyond the arc.
Thunder’s Forgotten Sharpshooter Could Be Lakers’ Trade Target
Isaiah Joe: One of OKC’s Likeliest Trade Assets
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Anthony Slater and Tim MacMahon revealed that Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins could be the Thunder’s likeliest trade candidates.
“The most likely candidates to be moved in a trade to rebalance the roster are Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, who have proved to be quality role players but fell out of the rotation during these playoffs. Joe is due $11.3 million next season and has a team option at the same salary for 2027-28. Wiggins is due $9.2 million next season and $8.3 million in 2027-28 with an $8.3 million team option in 2028-29.”
In 71 games (9 starts) for the defending NBA champions, Joe averaged 11.1 points (career-high), 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 45.5% from the field, 42.3% from three and 89.4% from the free-throw line. Though he logged a modest 21.2 minutes per game in those outings, head coach Mark Daigneault pulled him in the playoffs. Averaging 11 minutes across OKC’s 13 postseason contests, Joe put up 4.8 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists on .418/.348/1.000 splits.
Reflecting on that demotion at the end of the season, Joe told reporters:
“Being here with this team, I’ve learned that the work that I put in, it’s bigger than me. You have a mentality of, I want to improve, but I want to win for these guys. I want to play hard for these guys. I think that’s very rare to have, everybody on one team that kind of has that mindset.”
Joe is one of three prominent Thunder players linked to the Lakers in recent days. A West exec told Heavy Sports’ Sean Deveney that Lu Dort would be a “must-have” target for LA this offseason, and Deveney himself noted that Joe and Wiggins could be “other possible Lakers targets.”
Joe Can Bring Perimeter Shooting and Potential to LA
With the Lakers facing the possibility of losing several perimeter threats in free agency, Joe could be a crucial acquisition to strengthen the team’s guard depth—regardless of whether Marcus Smart or Luke Kennard are re-signed this summer. Aside from elevating the team’s second unit, the 26-year-old would have plenty of open looks next to Luka Doncic, strengthening his own offensive profile while helping one of the league’s offensive maestros.
Speaking of open looks, capitalizing on those proved to be Joe’s bread and butter. 95% of his perimeter attempts were assisted this season. He also led OKC in catch-and-shoot threes made (2.2) and attempted (5.0), nailing 43% of them. That sort of efficiency would do wonders for the Lakers, who in the regular season finished dead last in catch-and-shoot threes made per game (7.4) and 12th in percentage (36.9%).
Although shooting is Joe’s strong suit, the Lakers could help him develop other parts of his game, just as they’ve done with their own veteran players. From Rui Hachimura becoming a premier 3-point shooter to Kennard displaying his offensive gravity and defensive effort, the team’s emphasis on player development has gone beyond their younger guys. Even with six seasons under his belt, Joe could still thrive in a new environment under even brighter lights. The Lakers could give him a perfect opportunity with a role that won’t diminish when the playoffs come calling.
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