Jared McCain Philadelphia 76ers
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Sixers now enter the season with with McCain down and Quentin Grimes still unsigned, taking a huge blow to the Sixers' backcourt depth.
The Philadelphia 76ers are welcoming back their former first-round pick, Jared McCain, on Monday, March 23.
As the Oklahoma City Thunder pay their one and only visit of the year to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, McCain will get an opportunity to play at the Xfinity Mobile Arena for the first time since a Sixers-Pelicans matchup on January 31.
According to 6ABC’s Jason Dumas, the Sixers will send a message to McCain in some form as he returns to the city that drafted him.
76ers Will Send A Message To Jared McCain After Controversial Trade
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 06: Jared McCain #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers smiles during a time out during the second half against the Orlando Magic at the Wells Fargo Center on December 06, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
via Jason Dumas, 6ABC: I’ve been told the Sixers will have a little something to pay tribute and acknowledge Jared McCain’s return to Philly tonight.
The Sixers drafted McCain out of Duke with the 16th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
When they selected him, McCain wasn’t expected to be an immediate rotational player. However, a standout offseason, mixed with plenty of early injuries, gave the head coach, Nick Nurse, no choice but to bank on his first-round rookie.
It turned out the Sixers had a gem in McCain. In his first 23 games, McCain shot 46.0% from the field and 38.3% from three to average 15.3 points per game, 2.4 rebounds per game, and 2.6 assists per game.
Before going down with a season-ending knee injury, McCain was widely viewed as a Rookie of the Year favorite. He still received votes when it was all said and done, but he didn’t pick up the award.
Year two was on the disappointing side for McCain. Injuries affected his availability early on, which hurt his minutes and rhythm. McCain saw the court for 16.8 minutes per game in 37 outings. He struggled with his shot, making just 38.5% of his field goals and 37.8% of his threes. The sophomore averaged 6.6 points per game.
Ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline, the Sixers moved McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Since then, they’ve received a lot of backlash.
The Sixers Are Under Fire For McCain Decision
Jared McCain
GettyPHILADELPHIA, 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Jared McCain was a fan favorite in Philadelphia. He was very much loved in the locker room as well, receiving plenty of support from his ex-teammates after the move sent shockwaves through the organization.
Sixers fans wanted to see a win-now move made ahead of the deadline. Instead, the team traded away McCain, a young contributor, for draft compensation. The picks received were not flipped into a win-now piece.
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The lack of a follow-up move, mixed with McCain’s early success with OKC, has landed the Sixers under fire down the stretch of the 2025-2026 NBA season.
Since landing on the Thunder, McCain has averaged 12.3 points, while shooting 44.0% from three. He is contributing to a championship-ready team, while the Sixers are struggling in the area where McCain thrives best.