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Isaiah Joe has only been in Detroit for four months, but the city's fans already feel he was meant to wear a Pistons jersey. His name echoes two franchise icons—Joe Dumars and Isiah Thomas—making his transition to the Motor City feel like destiny. "Everywhere I go, people say, 'You know you have a special name? You were meant to be here,'" Joe said. "Since day one, I've gotten used to the system and the city. Everyone I have met has been amazing. It's a sleeper spot. There are plenty of places where you can get good food and hang out with the family."
Joe's affection for Detroit has fueled his determination to please the fanbase and help the Pistons chase a championship. After four years with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he contributed to their 2025 title run, he watched the Pistons evolve from a 14-win team two years ago into the Eastern Conference's top seed with 60 wins in 2025-26. Now entering his seventh NBA season, Joe feels poised to make an impact. "For me personally, I can bring the experience of knowing what it takes to build throughout the regular season so that you can be successful in the postseason," he said. "Everybody here has the same goal in mind, which is always a good sign. There are no egos. We are here to achieve the same goals. I am excited about what I can bring to the team, but also the stuff I can learn from them as well."
The Pistons acquired Joe from the Thunder in June for two second-round picks. His journey began when the Philadelphia 76ers drafted him in the second round in 2020. With Philadelphia, he saw limited action, averaging 10.3 minutes in 96 games. In October 2022, Oklahoma City traded for him, and he blossomed into a key contributor, culminating in a career year last season. "This is a young and hungry team, which showed a lot throughout the regular season. They always found ways to win," Joe said. "These guys are grimy. They work hard and are in the gym every night, working on their craft. We have a great system and great coaches. Everyone is together."
Joe's career year with the Thunder saw him average 11.1 points while shooting 42.3% from beyond the arc, ranking 10th in the league. He had 20 games with four or more 3-pointers and six games with a season-high six triples. One standout performance came against the Clippers on Nov. 4, when he scored a season-high 22 points and went 6-for-10 from deep. His shooting prowess is expected to address Detroit's mediocre 3-point shooting and help fill the void left by Malik Beasley's departure.
Key Analysis
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised Joe's all-around game: "He is an all-around basketball player. Watching him be able to put the ball in his hands and watch him be able to make plays, how he reads the floor, he is more dimensional on the offensive end of the floor than what you expect...Defensively, he is sound. He does a good job on the ball and executes our system well." Joe's ability to stretch the floor will be crucial, as defenders must stay attached to him, reducing double-teams on Cade Cunningham and opening driving lanes. In Oklahoma City, his presence similarly spaced the floor for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, aiding his rise as an elite scorer. "They are both great players who occupied great attention," Joe said. "It's their dominance and how they approach the game, and their ability to take over at any moment makes them dangerous. Being out there and playing with him over the years, we should be able to work pretty well together. Guys will be drawn to him, leaving me open for shots. If guys don't want to leave me open for shots, it could open driving lanes for him."
Since arriving in Detroit, Joe has embraced the city's passionate sports culture, attending a Michigan football game in Ann Arbor and a Detroit Lions game at Ford Field within 24 hours. He looks forward to bringing that same energy to Little Caesars Arena. If he remains a reliable contributor, his performance will help the Pistons stay near the top of the Eastern Conference and keep hope alive for another Larry O'Brien Trophy.
Originally reported by yahoo.