Jared McCain traded to OKC Thunder for first-round pick and three second-round selections
McCain, a former Rookie of the Year front-runner, struggled to stay in the rotation after being sidelined for surgeries on his knee and thumb.
Jared McCain’s tenure with the 76ers is over.
A source confirmed Wednesday that the team is trading the second-year guard to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for the Houston Rockets’ 2026 first-round pick and three second-round selections.
One of the second-rounders is the 2027 most favorable pick from the Thunder, Rockets, Indiana Pacers, and the Miami Heat. The other second-rounders are 2028 picks that previously belonged to the Milwaukee Bucks and Thunder.
» READ MORE: Quentin Grimes is glad nothing will ‘happen unexpectedly’ for him this time at the NBA trade deadline
McCain averaged 6.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 37.8% on three-pointers in 37 games this season. Moving the 21-year-old also enabled the Sixers to free up an additional roster spot and get below the luxury tax threshold.
The Sixers were just $1.2 million above the tax threshold after receiving $5.8 million in tax variance credit because of Paul George’s 25-game unpaid suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program.
Now, they’re $3 million below after getting rid of McCain’s $4.2 million salary.
McCain had his breakout rookie season cut short because of a torn meniscus in his left knee. And on top of that December 2024 injury, he had the start of this season delayed after suffering a torn ligament in his right thumb in September.
The 16th pick in the 2024 draft, McCain averaged 10 points and made 38.1% of his three-pointers in 60 career games with the Sixers.
Despite playing in just 23 games last season, McCain finished tied for seventh in the NBA’s rookie of the year voting. He was awarded a third-place vote from the media panel of 100 voters.
» READ MORE: Six burning questions facing the Sixers at the NBA trade deadline
Before the injury, he was the favorite to win the award.
McCain averaged 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists last season. He also shot 46% from the field, including 38.3% from three. The California native joined Hall of Famer Allen Iverson as the only other Sixers rookie to average at least 15 points and two made three-pointers.