Feb. 5, 2026, 9:00 p.m. CT
Shuffling their roster one last time, the Oklahoma City Thunder changed things up as they hope to become back-to-back NBA champions. They added Jared McCain in a buy-low deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. To make space on the standard roster, Ousmane Dieng was salary-dumped to the Charlotte Hornets.
The Thunder have sorely missed another ball-handler who can run the offense when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell aren’t on the floor. While McCain likely won’t be an immediate contributor, he could help with that in the long-term future.
The Thunder get a chance to have McCain for two-plus seasons. The 21-year-old had a hot start to his career last season before a torn meniscus and torn thumb ligaments derailed any momentum he had. Eventually, he was buried on the Sixers’ depth chart.
To get a better look at McCain, Sixers Wire’s Ky Carlin answered a few questions on his experience covering him for his first one-and-a-half seasons in the NBA. Here’s what he had to say to Thunder Wire on what his potential fit in OKC could be:
McCain’s role in OKC
Almanza: The Thunder went with a buy-low move at this year’s trade deadline. They acquired McCain from the Sixers for a probable late 2026 first-round pick and three second-round picks. This move was universally praised for OKC.
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Looking at their roster, the biggest hole was a lack of ball-handlers. They have Gilgeous-Alexander and Mitchell, but beyond that, it gets ugly pretty quickly. The offensive numbers get dire when neither is on the floor. McCain can help with that.
Ky, you had the chance to cover McCain’s first one-plus seasons in the league. What do you think he brings to the table for OKC?
Carlin: He brings charisma, confidence and a sweet-shooting stroke. He also brings his hard hat on a daily basis. He won’t back down from anybody and can produce in any capacity and is willing to do whatever it is his coaching staff asks of him.
He’s averaging only 6.6 points in his second season, compared to 15.3 as a rookie, but he is shooting 37.8% from deep following a slow start on his return from a meniscus tear in his left knee as well as a torn UCL in his right thumb. He has begun to find his rhythm again and he will fit in nicely around Gilgeous-Alexander as another shooting option for OKC’s offensive attack.
How McCain got dealt
Almanza: I’m curious, how exactly did we get to this point? Did you feel like McCain getting moved was a possibility? It’s a little surreal to see a borderline lottery pick moved in their second season — especially with how his career started. Is this simply just a case where he was buried on the depth chart?
Carlin: There was a feeling that he could be traded, but he’s also in his second season, so basketball-wise, it didn’t make much sense to move him. He was buried a bit behind VJ Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes, and Tyrese Maxey, but he was beginning to really find his groove after the slow start on the offensive end of the floor. It took him a bit to find that rhythm after recovering from his injuries, but one has to believe the Thunder will give him more playing time when considering their focus on young talent.
McCain’s injury effects
Almanza: You mentioned this already, but does it feel like McCain maybe lost some burst with the torn meniscus? That’s always a tricky injury to return from. If so, do you think that’ll limit his impact in the immediate future?
Carlin: Maybe a little bit, but not much. Again, it was a slow start for him, but he has worked extremely hard to get to the point where he can take defenders off the dribble again and get to the basket. There has been some trouble finishing for him, but he truly has been much better as of late. He was really figuring it out shortly before the trade.
McCain’s NBA ambitions
Almanza: Is being near the end of the bench something you think he’ll be cool with? I know he’s played in the G League this season. I think it’s safe to guess he could be assigned there in OKC, too.
Carlin: He wants to win. McCain is the ultimate team guy and he’s going to fit in that locker room so quickly. He is joining a team that, obviously, has championship expectations, but he is joining a team that’s similar to him in age. That is going to be so helpful for him as he works his way into the team’s culture and finds his fit on this roster. The Thunder are getting a real winner with him.
McCain’s defensive fit in OKC
Almanza: Finally, how has McCain held up on defense? That’s something OKC obviously prioritizes. To the point you rarely see Mark Daigneault give leeway to guys who can’t, at the very least, be competent defenders. The size will be a problem, but can he put in enough effort to stay on the floor?
Carlin: Defense can be iffy at times, but he works relentlessly at it to make sure he is impactful on that end. He isn’t a great one-on-one defender, but he is great at reading passers and making the right jumps in the passing lanes to force turnovers. He is a great team defender, and when considering OKC’s commitment to that end of the floor, it should help him take another step in that area of his game.