The Current Detroit Piston Who Won a Championship Elsewhere

The Detroit Pistons have one player on their roster who knows the feeling of winning an NBA championship.

Mar 7, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) runs down the court after scoring against the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

In a league once dominated by dynasties, the NBA has seen an unfamiliar trend in its championship teams. Since Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors denied the Golden State Warriors their third consecutive title in 2019, the NBA has fielded a different champion every year. 

In 2027, the Detroit Pistons look to be that ninth consecutive different NBA champion, and win their first since 2004. This offseason, the Pistons brought in a player who knows what it is like to win a championship.

Following the 2026 NBA Draft, the Pistons acquired former Oklahoma City guard Isaiah Joe in a trade. 

What Isaiah Joe Brings to Detroit Pistons

Mar 27, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) gestures after scoring against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Entering the 2026-27 season, Joe is the only player on the Pistons roster who's won an NBA title elsewhere, having won with the Thunder in 2025. Joe brings improved three-point shooting to the Pistons. During the regular season this past year, he averaged 11.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game and shot 42.3 percent from beyond the arc.

In the 2025 NBA Finals, which featured the Thunder earning their first title in franchise history in seven games over the Indiana Pacers, Joe averaged 4.8 points per game for Oklahoma City. Joe’s series high came in Game 6, where he scored 11 points and shot 3-of-4 from the field.

The Philadelphia 76ers selected Joe in the second round at No. 49 overall of the 2020 NBA Draft. Joe spent two seasons before joining the Thunder for the 2022-23 season. The last two seasons of Joe’s career have been his best as he’s averaged over 10 points per game in each season.  

Detroit Pistons Current NBA Championship Odds

May 17, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the national anthem before game seven of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

With the Pistons' season opener at Little Caesars Arena against the Boston Celtics on Oct. 20 less than two months away, Detroit currently has the sixth-best odds in the Eastern Conference to win the NBA championship at +2700, per FanDuel Sportsbook.  

Teams ahead of the Pistons include the New York Knicks (+900), Philadelphia 76ers (+1000), Boston Celtics (+1400), Toronto Raptors (+2500), and Cleveland Cavaliers (+2500). The Cavaliers saw a major boost in their NBA championship odds after adding guard Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets.

Last season, the Pistons caught many by surprise, earning the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, and this year they look to defy the odds again.

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