Sixers fans had a mostly negative reaction to the team\u2019s trade deadline moves, particularly the trade that sent 2nd-year guard and fan favorite Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder for three draft picks.<\/p>\n
The move was definitely not one the fans expected.<\/p>\n
Now, imagine hearing the news\u2026 and being McCain.<\/p>\n
Friday the newest member of the reigning NBA champions met the media, and he was asked if he had any inkling that he would be moved this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. Not at all,\u201d McCain said. \u201cWe were on the bus to the airport and just got a call. I had no feeling. I didn\u2019t think it was gonna happen, to be honest. I got the call and I just went and told everybody. I went to Tyrese [Maxey] first. It was pretty emotional.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jared McCain on if he knew he\u2019d get traded: \u201cNo. Not at all. We were on the bus to the airport and just got a call. I had no feeling. I didn\u2019t think it was gonna happen to be honest. I got the call and went to Tyrese first. It was pretty emotional.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/CbRht7xoDm<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) February 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n McCain was starting to find his stride after a career that has spent more time off the tracks than on them. Then he\u2019s thrown this bombshell and has to start over, all over again, for a new team. He mentioned going right to his backcourt mate, Tyrese Maxey, when he heard the news. Maxey shared his disappointment before last night\u2019s game.<\/p>\n \u201cJust sad,\u201d Maxey said. \u201cLike a little brother to me, dog. Like the first real rook [I\u2019ve worked with] I guess. He was emotional and stuff, but I\u2019m happy for him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHopefully he gets an even better opportunity over there to succeed. He\u2019s got a fan in me for life.\u201d<\/p>\n “Little brother to me dog” <\/p>\n Tyrese Maxey reacts to the Sixers trading Jared McCain to the Thunder before the NBA trade deadline. pic.twitter.com\/wLk8gEsEFP<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) February 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Maxey added that McCain moving on is \u201cpart of the business,\u201d and that not having his little brother around with feel \u201cjust different.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t