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The calendar has flipped to August. Which means we're in the dog days of the NBA's year-round calendar. Little will happen over the next two months as teams across the league prepare for the 2026-27 season. Before we move on, though, let's reflect one last time on last year.
The Oklahoma City Thunder had a league-best 64-18 regular-season record. Juggling injuries all year, they overcame notable absences all year. Alas, they fell short of a second NBA championship with a 2026 Western Conference Finals exit.
To reflect on their 2025-26 season, Thunder Wire will conduct player grades for all 20 players who suited up for them this past year. Ninth up is Isaiah Joe, who made up for a pedestrian regular season with a stellar NBA playoffs:
2025-26 statistics:
- 11.1 points
- 2.5 rebounds
- 1.3 assists
- 45.5% shooting
- 42.3% 3-point shooting
- 89.4% free-throw shooting
Advanced stats:
- True-shooting percentage: 65.7%
- Usage rate: 18.4%
- Win shares: 5.5
- VORP: 1.7
- 3-point attempt rate: 78.8%
Significant Percentile Finishes:
- Transition scorer: 94.4 percentile
- P&R ball-handler: 98.6 percentile
- Spot-up scorer: 98.0 percentile
Contract:
- 2026-27: $11.3 million
- 2027-28: $11.3 million (team option)
Thoughts:
In a make-or-break year, Joe had checked off every box you can ask for. He was a regular-season machine once again. Enjoying career highs across the board, this finally felt like the year where he'd conquer his NBA playoff boogeyman. Alas, it was much of the same. The 27-year-old just can't seem to carry over his flamethrowing outside shooting to the highest stakes.
Let's dive more into the regular season. Joe was one of OKC's more dependable players. In a season filled with injuries, he was a constant. And because of the growing list of absences, he took advantage of a little more creative freedom on the offensive side. Sure, his bread and butter were his outside looks. But has added some variety to the type of 3-pointers he'd take. On top of catch-and-shoot looks, his two-man game with Isaiah Hartenstien helped the second-unit offense. He also expanded his range to near halfcourt. In all four seasons on the Thunder, he shot over 40% from 3. That's not something you should take lightly. Especially as a role player.
There's a reason why Joe was a lineup data darling. His minutes with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander absolutely exploded the offense in a dynamic way. He was the perfect piece to fit alongside the drive-heavy scorer. All of the advanced metrics painted him out to be one of the more effective role players in the league. Being a high-volume, high-efficiency role player takes you a long way in the NBA.
Not just that, but Joe also grew as a player. He became more well-rounded. Injuries funneled ball-handling possessions his way. He kept with the tide. He also maxed out his defensive talents. Because of his slight frame, he'll always be a target on that end of the floor. But his motor and technique coincided with his best year ever as a one-on-one defender. All you can really ask for. Especially since the Thunder are deep enough to mask some of his deficiencies.
With everything going his way, Joe rode his momentum into the NBA playoffs. That's always been his biggest shortcoming. Instead, his nightmare continued. His outside numbers dipped to a pedestrian 34.8% from 3 in the postseason. His playing time slowly dwindled in each passing playoff series. By the end of the Western Conference Finals, he was on the outside of OKC's rotation. In an epic seven-game duel where they badly needed another scorer. His number not being called was a bad sign of his long-term future. Which made their offseason divorce pretty obvious to forecast.
Moving Forward:
The Thunder had to say goodbye to a handful of role players this summer. Joe was one of them. They traded him to the Detroit Pistons for two future second-round picks. Of all the cost-cutting moves they made, the scales tipped closer to it being a financial consequence more than a sound basketball decision. I get he has his playoff shortcomings, but there's value in being a regular-season innings eater who is one of the best outside shooters in the league. Even if he's just a role player.
It's really a shame Joe couldn't show out in the NBA playoffs. The stage was set for him to have a huge postseason. Instead, it was more of the same. Of all the departures that happened, I think his will have the biggest impact on next year's regular-season record. He was a safety blanket for the backend of the rotation. He was the perfect piece to play with Gilgeous-Alexander. He also held his own in the second-unit offense as a microwave scorer. There's a reason why he grades out as one of their best outside shooters in Thunder history.
It's going to be a tall task to replace his production. At least in the regular season. We'll see, though. Bennett Stirtz has a similar game. Same with Jared McCain. Those two are prime candidates to fill in his shoes. For Joe, he gets to move to an East contender. A lot of the same perks he enjoyed with Gilgeous-Alexander will be there with Cade Cunningham.
Some guys are regular-season machines. Others love the NBA playoffs. Joe fits the former group. Nothing wrong with that. The 27-year-old has carved out a lengthy NBA career as an outside shooter. Expect him to stick around for a while. That skill will always be a hot commodity in the league. As he leaves OKC, he leaves as one of their best developmental stories ever. He helped them win an NBA championship in 2025. Because of that feat, he'll be immortalized in the small market.
Final Grade: B
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: 2025-26 Thunder player grades: Isaiah Joe
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