Former Arkansas guard Isaiah Joe signs contract extension with Thunder

Former Arkansas Razorbacks guard Isaiah Joe signed a new contract extension this week to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to Shams Charania. Joe inked his new deal for four years, $48 million, which will keep him in OKC through the end of the 2027-2028 season.

The sharp-shooting guard started just one game for the Thunder this season, but played in a career-high 78 games. He played 18.5 minutes per game, scoring 8.2 points per game. Joe, despite scoring a point-per-game less than he did last year for Oklahoma City, he hit career-highs in shooting percentage, both from the field and from behind the three-point arc, and in assists per game.

Joe sticks with the Thunder after playoff run

Joe entered the league as the 49th overall pick in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft. The Philadelphia 76ers signed him to a rookie deal for three years and $4.2 million. However, the 76ers waived him after two seasons, leaving him free to sign with the Thunder. His first deal with OKC was for three years, $5.99 million.

In June, the Thunder declined a $2.16 million option for Joe’s fifth season in the league, but they’ve now opted to sign him to a long-term deal instead.

As a rookie, Joe had just one start for the 76ers, but he played in 41 games, averaging 9.3 minutes and 3.7 points per game. He played in 55 games in his second season, and averaged 11 minutes per game, but his numbers declined.

The former Arkansas star rebounded in a major way after signing with the Thunder. He made 10 starts in 73 games played while averaging 9.5 points per game. He shot 41.1% from the field and 40.9% from deep. He’s averaged less than a turnover per game in each of his first four seasons in the NBA.

The Thunder went 57-25 during the regular season this year to finish first in the Northwest Divison. After sweeping New Orleans in their first playoff series, they lost to the Mavericks in the second round. In 10 post-season games, Joe averaged 17.3 minutes with 6.4 points while shooting 44.4% from the field.

Joe, a Fort Smith, Arkansas native, was an instant-impact player at Arkansas. He established himself as one of the best shooters in school history, setting a single-season program record of 113 three-pointers as a freshman. That number also ranked fourth in NCAA history. He broke the record that was previously held by former Razorbacks’ star Scotty Thurman (102).