OKC Thunder sign Isaiah Joe to a multi-year deal, firm up roster

The Oklahoma City Thunder have made yet another transaction ahead of the 2022-23 NBA regular season, which tips off for the league Tuesday with OKC starting their season on Wednesday. The NBA mandates that teams get their roster down to 17 players, including two two-way deals, by Monday, October 17th. Today, the Thunder signed Isaiah Joe to a multi-year deal, firming up their roster ahead of the season.

Isaiah Joe was selected with the 19th pick of the second round in the 2020 NBA draft, 49th overall, out of the University of Arkansas. The 23-year-old guard has shown flashes of being an NBA-caliber player on the contending 76ers, playing in 96 games in his NBA career thus far.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have inked Isaiah Joe to a multi-year deal ahead of the 2022-23 NBA Regular season, setting their roster up for the start of the season

The Oklahoma City Thunder signing Isaiah Joe to a multi-year deal is a little more complicated than it sounds. The Thunder and Joe might have technically agreed with Joe on a multi-year deal, but each year past the 2022-23 season will have some language such as non-guarantees or opt-outs to make it easy for the organization to get out of should they so choose.

No matter what you call the deal, it boils down to a “prove it” contract, Joe will have a shot at more NBA time, especially in the second half of this season, to showcase his skillset without a true long-term commitment from OKC.

To his point in his career, Joe has played in 96 games, making two starts on his way to averaging three points and a rebound per game while shooting 33 percent. His numbers extend to 12 points, three rebounds, and as many assists with a steal per game if you look at his per 36 numbers.

From Fort Smith Arkansas, Joe shares the same hometown and University as Jaylin Williams who the OKC Thunder selected with the 34th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

With this move, the Oklahoma City Thunder will need to waive David Nwaba, Scotty Hopson, Trey Burke, and Marquese Chriss to get within roster compliance. The Houston Rockets have already waived each player they received from the OKC Thunder, now the Thunder will do the same by Monday.