After getting traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder this week, guard Jared McCain paid tribute to his time with the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.
In a video on TikTok, McCain said he was “blessed to be part of the Thunder organization,” before signing a song in honor of the Sixers fans who supported him. An emotional McCain closed by saying, “I’ll always love you, Philly.”
The trade became official Wednesday night with the 76ers sending McCain to OKC for a 2026 first-round pick and three second-round picks.
Selected 16th overall by the Sixers in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft, McCain appeared in only 60 games for the organization over two seasons.
The 21-year-old Duke alum showed flashes of brilliance as a rookie, averaging 15.3 points, 2.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds and 2.2 three-pointers made per game, but a torn meniscus in his knee cut his season short after just 23 games.
This season, McCain appeared in 37 games for the 76ers, but his minutes dropped from 25.7 per game as a rookie to 16.8 per game in his second season.
As a result, McCain put up far less impressive numbers, averaging 6.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 three-pointers made per contest.
McCain has also been far less efficient this season, shooting 38.5 percent from the field compared to 46.0 percent as a rookie. However, he has still been solid from beyond the arc, shooting 37.8 percent.
In OKC, McCain will join an already crowded backcourt that includes reigning NBA and NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, plus Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso.
Gilgeous-Alexander is currently dealing with an abdominal injury, though, and the Thunder announced that he will be out through next weekend’s All-Star Game.
With SGA out, it could open up some playing time for McCain, and if he fares well, he may have a chance to work his way into the rotation for the remainder of the season.
While McCain’s playing time is a question mark, he is joining the defending NBA champions, who also have the best record in the NBA this season at 40-12, meaning he is suddenly in the thick of title contention.