The Pistons have been searching for a reliable 3-and-D wing to fit around their emerging core, and that need was finally addressed on Friday morning when they landed Isaiah Joe in a trade. This deal brings a proven, high-volume perimeter shooter with defensive capability to Detroit, and it could prove significant when the team reaches the postseason. The front office even exceeded my expectations by securing strong value in the exchange, parting with only two second-round picks.
Isaiah Joe fills a role the Pistons have desperately needed
From beyond the arc, Joe is a legitimate scoring threat, demonstrated by his 42% shooting on 6 attempts per game last season. He can knock down shots both as a catch-and-shoot option and while moving off screens and handoffs. Adding him to a Detroit roster that has clearly lacked outside shooting could have a transformative effect on the offense as a whole.
Last year, Duncan Robinson stood as the sole consistent shooter for the Pistons, connecting on 41% of his 7 threes per game figures quite comparable to Joe’s, especially when accounting for Robinson’s extra 6 minutes of playing time per night. Now that both players share the same roster, the floor should open up considerably for their teammates, giving Detroit a trustworthy shooting presence in nearly every critical stretch of the game.
Securing Joe with such a modest trade package was a sharp move by Trajan Langdon. It also validates his calculated choice in the draft to trade up for a developing shot-creator who lacks a polished outside stroke. By taking Ebuka Okorie at 17th overall, Langdon was counting on being able to add shooting at a lower cost later on and Joe’s arrival has proven that approach correct.
The Pistons need to pull more out of Isaiah Joe
Joe has solidified himself as a dependable reserve with strong efficiency during his time in Oklahoma City, yet he never truly broke into the Thunder’s playoff rotation over the past two seasons. He was simply buried behind a deep collection of wing players. In Detroit, however, the opportunity exists for him to produce at a higher level if given the proper role.
If Joe sustains his efficiency while taking on a more aggressive scoring load, he should be able to create driving lanes for his teammates, turning them into even more dangerous slashers. Beyond refining his jumper considerably in recent years, Joe has also honed the skill of leveraging his defensive attention to benefit the team. Now he’ll have the platform to display the full breadth of his abilities and make a greater impact in Detroit than he would have as the eighth or ninth man in Oklahoma City’s rotation.
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