The Philadelphia 76ers have a shot to bring back Isaiah Joe this summer as the Oklahoma City Thunder try to avoid the dreaded second apron. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams have extensions kicking in that will push OKC well into the territory every team attempts to avoid. Most experts expect them to trim payroll, and Thunder expert Mark Nilon thinks Joe shouldn’t return next season. The Sixers waived the 6’4 sharpshooter before his breakout, but could finally benefit from his best play.
Joe played his first two NBA seasons in Philadelphia. He struggled to get consistent minutes, and Daryl Morey waived him in October 2022. He blamed a roster crunch, but it was again Morey mismanaging his roster. It is why the decision-maker is no longer with the team, even with a hefty price tag to cut ties.
Joe has shot 41.5 percent from 3-point range since leaving Philly, but he struggled to get minutes this season. The Thunder are the deepest team in the league and would have no qualms about trading away his $11.3 million salary for next season. The 76ers would struggle to find the pieces to make the deal, but this is their chance to right that wrong.
76ers have a chance to fix Isaiah Joe mistake this offseason
The Sixers face several hurdles after getting to the second round of the playoffs. Tyrese Maxey is a star and ready to lead the team. How does Philadelphia build a contending roster around him and VJ Edgecombe? It is complicated with Joel Embiid and Paul George on max contracts. They need to figure out the futures of Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr. as the key role players hit free agency. They even have team option decisions to make.
The 76ers' best shot to land Isaiah Joe is in a multi-team sign-and-trade for Grimes or Oubre Jr. this summer. The unrestricted free agent would have to find a new home and give Philly an avenue to trade them, plus other pieces for Joe.
The Sixers finished 22nd in 3-pointers made this season and 23rd in 3-point percentage. Fans know how important making shots is in the modern NBA. Joe took over ten 3-point attempts per 36 minutes in three of the last four years. For context, no player on the 76ers did that this season. Maxey led the team with 8.1.
They wouldn’t just be getting an elite shooter, but one who is comfortable firing away at volume. It is exactly what the Sixers need. Diehard NBA fans know Joe isn’t getting on the floor in OKC without defending, so this could be a key upgrade for a team looking to take the next step.
The Philadelphia 76ers would have to get creative, but they could finally right their Isaiah Joe mistake four years later. Oklahoma City will be looking to trim payroll, and the 6’4 wing struggled to get minutes even with the Thunder’s injuries in the conference finals. It is time for the Thunder to move on, and the Sixers could finally get the production they envisioned when they drafted Joe in 2020.
It is on Bob Myers and the new front office to make it happen. All fans can do is stay tuned to see how it all shakes out.
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