Oklahoma City Thunder Guard Named as ‘Sleeper Target’ for Milwaukee Bucks

There’s no doubt the Milwaukee Bucks need guys who can space the floor on one end and defend well on the other. In this regard, the front office may do well by targeting Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe during the offseason

Joe, a 2020 second-round draft pick of the Philadelphia 76ers, found his footing with the Oklahoma City Thunder after being waived by the Joel Embiid-team. In the 2023-24 season, Joe emerged as a valuable contributor off the Thunder’s bench, showcasing his sharpshooting prowess and versatility.

Entrusted with the role of the team’s go-to bench scorer, Joe did not disappoint. He knocked down 41% of his three-point attempts, ranking in the 93rd percentile as a spot-up scorer and the 92nd percentile when coming off screens. Joe’s catch-and-shoot proficiency was equally impressive, as he converted 44% of his attempts from deep.

Moreover, the Thunder guard demonstrated growth in his overall offensive game, proving capable of getting to the rim and finishing at a high rate of 72%. Defensively, Joe maximized his 6’4″ frame, becoming a tenacious on-ball defender and a pest for opposing offenses.

With his offensive development and defensive intensity, Joe established himself as a valuable asset for the Thunder, earning meaningful minutes and even starting the final two games of the season. The former second-round pick has shown the potential to carve out a long-term role in the NBA as a sharpshooting, two-way contributor.

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Isaiah Joe Named As Potential Trade Target For Milwaukee Bucks

There have been times when the Bucks’ bench hasn’t really lived up to expectation. Milwaukee’s front office can remedy that by making a move for Joe, as detailed in an article by Tyler Watts for Behind The Buck Pass.

Towards the end of the season, the Bucks under head coach Doc Rivers finished with 49-33 record. Moreover, they ranked 11th in three-point accuracy among 30 teams. Having Joe join the duo Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard would mean a lot for the team’s performance.