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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 27: Jared McCain #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after making a three point basket against the Milwaukee Bucks in the fourth quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 27, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Bucks 139-122. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
After getting a few games to settle in, Jared McCain had a big night for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In a February 20 matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, McCain continued his role off the bench for the NBA Champions. The game was a blowout in favor of the shorthanded Thunder, and it featured a 20-plus-point outing from McCain, who joined ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
McCain went for 21 points on 7-12 shooting from the field and 3-6 shooting from deep.
The Philadelphia 76ers moved McCain in a deal that netted them draft picks. The official trade included a 2026 first-round pick, a 2027 second-round pick, and two 2028 second-round draft picks.
Philadelphia 76ers Catch Heat After Jared McCain’s Big Night
Jared McCain barking in his Thunder postgame interview 😂
via WarriorsLens: And Philly traded him for a bag of chips, crazy stuff
@dou9i3: Thank you Morey
@ashep95: Daryl Morey pretty much traded him for Cam Payne and trash picks. He needs to be fired along with Nick Nurse.
The initial trade didn’t sit right with most fans in Philadelphia. While some saw it as a positive opportunity to pick up draft assets for a player who seemed to be rapidly regressing after a strong, short-lived rookie season, many believed the Sixers were making a massive mistake.
Each solid performance from McCain will likely have a similar reaction from NBA fans.
@RatiodBySiakam: Daryl Morey strikes again
@SixersMo: Quentin Grimes and Cam Payne though…
@ic3yhurts: Might mute the word “McCain” on here I can’t do this no more Morey ruined my life
Jared McCain’s Journey Is Getting Started
GettyJared McCain has joined the OKC Thunder after starting his career with the Philadelphia 76ers.
After one standout season at Duke, Jared McCain became the NBA’s 16th overall pick in the 2024 draft. The Sixers picked him up with their lone first-round draft selection.
The assumption was that McCain would have a hard time finding an instant role. That wasn’t the case. Not only did McCain prove he belonged early on, but the Sixers would battle key injuries all year long. McCain had an opportunity to start eight games. When they got healthier, he was back on the bench, but not in a limited role.
As a rookie, McCain saw the court for 25.7 minutes per game. He posted averages of 15.3 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.4 rebounds. He shot 38 percent from three. Before going down with a season-ending knee injury, McCain was widely viewed as the Rookie of the Year.
The Sixers had a hard time finding a steady role for McCain in 2025-2026. After he missed a chunk of time at the start of the year due to a setback, McCain averaged just 16.8 minutes of playing time. He struggled to make the same impact. McCain shot 38 percent from the field and averaged 6.6 points per game.
Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey claimed the Sixers sold high on McCain—a comment that didn’t end up sitting right with the fan base, although he was complimentary with his follow-up comments.
With McCain averaging 9.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists on 42 percent shooting from three in four games for OKC, Morey’s decision to move him in year two continues to haunt a struggling Sixers team early on. Philadelphia hopes that with better health moving forward, they will be in good shape, despite cutting ties with their talented homegrown guard.
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