Oklahoma City Thunder reserve guard Jared McCain continues to make the Philadelphia 76ers look foolish for trading him prior to the trade deadline earlier this year for draft compensation.
The Sixers were swept in the Eastern Conference semifinals, thanks at least in part, to a lack of depth in the backcourt. Meanwhile, the Thunder are now just two wins away from a second consecutive trip to the NBA Finals, and McCain has been a major contributor for the Thunder throughout the postseason, and especially in the first few games of the Western Conference finals.
Jared McCain has been Major Factor for Thunder in Western Conference Finals
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 23: Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates a three-pointer during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 23, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
McCain contributed 12 points and 6 rebounds off the bench in the second game of the series. In Oklahoma City’s 123-108 victory in Game 3 on Friday night, he tallied 24 points and 4 rebounds. He was the Thunder’s second-leading scorer in the game behind reigning two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
McCain has consistently provided the Thunder with floor-spacing around Gilgeous-Alexander and he’s found a way to hit some timely shots, providing Oklahoma City with a spark off of the bench. He’s also held his own defensively.
He could have been providing that for Philadelphia, but they opted to trade him because head coach Nick Nurse couldn’t figure out how to integrate him into the rotation and because now-former president of basketball operations Daryl Morey didn’t value depth. That decision to deal McCain – and the overwhelmingly negative reception to the move – may have factored into the organization’s decision to move on from Morey.
In addition to his on-court contributions, McCain was beloved in the Sixers locker room, and virtually every player on the team lamented his loss after he was moved. His departure absolutely impacted the vibes in Philadelphia’s locker room negatively.
Jared McCain has been Embraced by the Thunder
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 23: Jared McCain #3 and Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder talk to the media after a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 23, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
But, one team’s loss is another team’s gain, and the Thunder have benefitted from McCain’s infectious energy, both on and off of the court.
“Jared has been enlightening for us as a team from a personality standpoint,” Thunder guard Alex Caruso said of McCain. “Anybody who has gotten to talk to him or see him since he’s been here, [knows] he has endless energy every single day and he’s always smiling, joking, being a part of the team and being a great teammate. … He’s learning and his energy is contagious any time he is on the court. Everybody playing with him can feel it.”
It’s assuredly frustrating for Philly fans to have to watch a promising young guy like McCain thrive and be embraced by another organization when he could easily still be a piece of the puzzle moving forward for the Sixers.
And while it’s true that the McCain trade can’t be fully judged until we see what the Sixers do with the picks that they received in exchange for the second-year guard, the early returns have been extremely discouraging for Philadelphia.
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