The Philadelphia 76ers weren’t expected to make waves at this year’s trade deadline - and they didn’t. But what looked like a quiet deadline turned unexpectedly emotional when the team dealt away second-year guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a package of draft picks.
The move itself wasn’t shocking - McCain had struggled to find his rhythm in year two - but the aftermath hit differently in the Sixers’ locker room. McCain wasn’t just a young player with upside.
He was a glue guy, a locker room favorite, and someone teammates genuinely enjoyed being around. That made the goodbye sting a little more.
The plan, at least on paper, seemed clear: flip McCain for assets, then use those assets to bring in a player who could help Philly make a postseason push. But that second part never came to fruition. When the dust settled, the Sixers had moved two players and brought back zero - a quiet deadline in terms of roster impact, and a loud one emotionally.
President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey acknowledged that things didn’t unfold the way the team had hoped. And while the front office might be looking at long-term flexibility, the players felt the immediate loss of a teammate who brought energy and levity to the group.
Kyle Lowry, the Sixers’ veteran leader and a champion who’s seen just about everything in this league, didn’t mince words when asked about McCain’s departure.
“It’s a tough situation, especially because Jared is like one of the most lovable guys out there,” Lowry said. “The trade deadline sucks for individuals like him because he’s an asset.”
That’s the business of basketball in a nutshell. McCain, a 21-year-old with a bright personality and a knack for keeping things light - whether it was cracking jokes or sneaking in a TikTok behind the scenes - was packaged for four draft picks. In Lowry’s eyes, that says something.
“I just told him, ‘Listen, a team is willing to give up that much for you? That means you’re worth something,’” Lowry said.
“We talked about it yesterday on the plane… he’s just him. He’s always laughing, always joking.
He’s just a great kid.”
Lowry made it clear their bond won’t end just because they’re wearing different jerseys now. “I told him that I’m big brother no matter what - no matter what team, no matter what uniform you have on, what city you’re in - give me a call,” he said. “I think we had such a tight-knit crew that we’ll still be in touch with him.”
McCain’s sophomore season in Philly didn’t quite match the promise of his rookie campaign. He appeared in 37 games, averaging 16.8 minutes per contest while putting up 6.6 points per game on 37% shooting from beyond the arc. Injuries and a reduced role made it tough for him to find a groove, and he never fully settled into the Sixers’ rotation.
Still, the move to OKC offers a fresh start. The Thunder are one of the league’s most exciting young teams, and McCain will have the chance to develop in a system built around growth and opportunity. It might take a minute for him to regain his confidence, but with a support system like Lowry in his corner - even from afar - he’s not starting from scratch.
For the Sixers, the deadline didn’t bring the reinforcements many hoped for. But for McCain, this could be the beginning of something new - and maybe even something better.