Getty
Jared McCain has had a tough reintroduction to the NBA after coming back from injuries. The Sixers elected to send him to the G League to work out the kinks.
There just might be a revenge game brewing in South Philadelphia on Monday, March 23.
As the Philadelphia 76ers host the Oklahoma City Thunder for the first and only time this year, the game marks the official return to Philly for the former Sixers guard, Jared McCain.
In 2024, McCain wrapped up his freshman season at Duke by declaring for the NBA Draft. The Sixers selected McCain with the 16th overall pick in the first round.
For 23 games, McCain thrived and placed himself in contention for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year race. Unfortunately, a knee injury sidelined him indefinitely. McCain ended up missing the rest of his rookie season.
When the young guard wrapped up his year, McCain had produced 15.3 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.4 rebounds. He shot 46.0% from the field and hit on 38.3% from three.
Sixers fans had high hopes for McCain heading into year two. However, the organization had a different opinion. As a result, McCain was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline.
The fan base in Philadelphia was shocked, as was McCain.
Jared McCain Makes Feelings Clear on 76ers ‘Breakup’
Jared McCain
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 13: Jared McCain #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during a game against the Indiana Pacers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 13, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Hours before his first game back in Philly, McCain opened up on his feelings towards the situation now that he’s settled in with Oklahoma City.
“I think when I first got traded, it’s obviously something that you don’t necessarily want to happen. You always want to be where you were drafted,” McCain told reporters.
“It’s that place, it’s like your first love, and so now it’s a breakup and going through that. Now looking back on it, everything happens for a reason. I really trust in my faith in God and the universe, and everything happens for a reason. So I think now, I’m grateful for what has happened and whatever is in my path going forward, I’m just trusting everything that happens and, yeah, still grateful for everything here, but grateful for the trade.”
Justin Martinez
Here’s Jared McCain, who was met with a large crowd of 76ers reporters after shootaround.
He made sure to dap up and hug plenty of them after his availability.
McCain Bounced Back Quickly
OKC Thunder guard Jared McCain
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – FEBRUARY 7: Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates a made basket during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Paycom Center on February 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
Although emotions were high at the time of the trade, McCain has bounced back quickly. The young guard went from struggling on the Sixers, to looking like a rising star again with the Thunder.
In 37 games with the Sixers this year, McCain appeared in 37 games. He averaged 6.6 points and 2.0 rebounds per game.
GettyDALLAS, TEXAS – MARCH 01: AJ Johnson #8 of the Dallas Mavericks is defended by Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center on March 01, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Since joining the Oklahoma City Thunder, he has appeared in 19 games, producing 12.3 points per game (46.9% FG, 44.0% 3PT).
Landing in a high-stakes situation by joining the NBA champions, McCain has taken advantage of his time in OKC so far.