Ranking every player on the Sixers’ 2021-22 roster

Ranking every player on the Sixers roster — 13. Isaiah Joe

A lot of preseason buzz is floating around Isaiah Joe these days. The second-year wing out of Arkansas has one readily marketable and elite NBA skill — shooting. In fact, one could argue he’s the second-best shooter on the team behind Seth Curry. His prolific 3-point shot is what gives Joe such a clear path to long-term prominence in Philadelphia.

How soon Joe cracks the rotation is yet to be seen. While Doc Rivers has voiced a desire to get Joe more reps, the coach’s history would suggest Joe still faces a long, arduous road to real minutes. With Georges Niang, Furkan Korkmaz, Danny Green, and Seth Curry all occupying similar roles, it’s not hard for Joe to get lost in the shuffle.

That said, Joe is easily takes the highest volume of 3-point shots on the team. He averaged over 10 attempts per game in college, and has kept up that per-minute rate in the pros. Joe is the definition of a “quick trigger,” which is especially useful when Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris need snappy decision-makers around them to avoid turnovers and keep the offense humming.

Beyond his shooting, it is Joe’s defense that has impressed evaluators and fans. After two vanilla defensive seasons at Arkansas, Joe entered the NBA with low expectations on that side of the ball. He was skinny (listed at 6-foot-5, 180 pounds), and was not well-known for his effort.

Since entering the league, Joe’s reputation has done a complete 180. He is not only competing hard on the defensive end — no doubt motivated by his desire to crack the rotation — but he’s also a genuinely sound defender. He shows excellent instincts, doesn’t let stronger wings bully him inside, and has been remarkably effective as a pickpocket. In fact, it’s fair to say Joe checks both the 3 and D boxes better than some of his peers ahead of him in the rotation. It’s only a matter of time before Joe moves up this list.