The Oklahoma City Thunder suffered a disappointing loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday, ending their 15-game winning streak. However, they rebounded and defeated the New York Knicks for the second time this year. MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again led the team. But Isaiah Joe stole the show with 31 points after cashing in eight triples for a season-high, showing his value to the Thunder.
Even though Oklahoma City is 31-6 with the second-best record in the NBA, they have been mentioned in trade rumors. The Thunder are eyeing popular trade candidate Cameron Johnson. In addition, Joe is rumored to be attached in any trade for Johnson to make salaries work. The Thunder gave him a four-year, $48 million contract extension in July. This season hasn’t gone the way the Thunder and Joe had hoped. He has struggled a bit, scoring just 8.8 points per game while shooting 37.2% from three, down from 41.6% last year. Furthermore, despite the trade rumors, Joe proved why they shouldn’t deal him away.
Isaiah Joe Is Proving His Value to the Thunder
Isaiah Joe Can Easily Turn His Season Around
Joe has been a lethal marksman from behind the arc in his last two seasons in Oklahoma, hitting over 40% of his threes. His lethal shooting prompted Sam Presti and the Thunder to give him the extension. However, he has struggled with the deep ball this season, shooting only 37.2%. Ultimately, last night’s game, where he shot 8-11 from three, can help turn around a season.
Usually, when shooters struggle to shoot the ball, it is mainly due to two reasons. The first is they are just going through a slump. The second is they aren’t shooting with confidence on every shot. Whether it is the first or the second option, Joe’s performance can get him back on track. If he can get back to shooting around 40% from deep like he has done in the past two seasons, Joe’s value to the Thunder will be important to their title hopes.
The Thunder Don’t Want to Repeat Last Year’s Mistake
Last season, the Thunder made a trade at the deadline. It was the perfect move they could make for what they needed, landing Gordon Hayward. Last season, Oklahoma City’s biggest weakness was a lack of playoff experience and rebounding. Hayward didn’t help much in the rebounding category, as he averaged just 4.7 before he was traded. However, it was his playoff experience that was desired. He was supposed to be a guy who could come off the bench, score 8-12 points a night, and settle things down in the playoffs.
Unfortunately, that didn’t pan out, and the Thunder don’t want to repeat the same mistake this season. Johnson is a guy who, on paper, would be a perfect fit for the team. He can help with some of the struggles they have gone through this season. However, just because he appears to be a great fit doesn’t mean it will work. It is hard for an in-season trade to immediately impact the new team. Is it worth trading someone like Joe, who the other players are familiar with, for the potential Johnson may offer? It doesn’t seem like it, especially when they are already 31-6.
There Should Be Only One Reason Why the Thunder Make a Trade
In addition, the Thunder don’t need to make a trade to win the title. The team they have already is skilled enough to win. It has shown this year, and they haven’t even been 100% healthy. Could a trade improve their chances of winning a title? Yes. However, the risk of it not working out or messing up the team dynamic is a risk Oklahoma City shouldn’t make right now. Last night’s performance from Joe showed why they shouldn’t trade him away, as he has great chemistry with the team and the guys know how to play with him.
If they make a trade by the deadline, it should only be for one reason. That would be moving guys who have value but aren’t playing much, like Ousmane Dieng or Kenrich Williams, to create future roster flexibility. Currently, the Thunder will only have one roster spot open for next year and have several picks in the 2025 draft.
The Last Word On Isaiah Joe’s Value
Finally, Friday’s performance proved Joe’s value and should have put to bed any trade talks. The Thunder are in a position where they shouldn’t make a big trade at the deadline. Oklahoma City does have weaknesses, but every team that wins a title always has some problems. Presti and company should stay put at the deadline, see what this team can accomplish in the playoffs at full strength, and then reassess things in the offseason.
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