Jared McCain has only been with the Oklahoma City Thunder for a week, but he’s already showing why the team moved quickly to bring him in at the trade deadline. The rookie guard, acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers, is doing more than just finding his footing-he’s helping reshape the Thunder’s offensive flow.
McCain’s shooting has been steady since arriving in OKC, and defenses are noticing. His ability to space the floor is creating ripple effects across the lineup, especially for Isaiah Joe, who’s been on an absolute heater.
Since McCain joined the squad, Joe’s scoring has nearly doubled, jumping from 10.5 points per game to a blistering 20.0 over the last four contests. And it’s not just volume-Joe is knocking down threes at a high clip, hitting 17 of his last 31 attempts from beyond the arc.
That’s 54.8% from deep, fueled in part by the extra room McCain’s presence provides.
McCain, for his part, has hit at least one three-pointer in each of his first four games as a Thunder. He’s 6-for-14 from distance in that span, including a solid showing in Thursday’s 110-93 loss to the Bucks, where he chipped in 13 points, three rebounds, and two assists. It was the second night of a back-to-back, and while the Thunder couldn’t get past Milwaukee, they did notch a dominant 136-109 win over the Suns the night before-splitting the set and showing flashes of their offensive ceiling even without their star.
That’s been the real test: playing without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The All-Star guard has missed the last five games with an abdominal injury, but the Thunder haven’t folded.
Thanks to the sharpshooting of Joe and the immediate impact of McCain, OKC has stayed afloat-and then some. Even with five losses in their last 10, the Thunder hit the All-Star break with the best record in the NBA at 42-14.
Isaiah Joe is now averaging 20 PPG since the arrival of Jared McCain, adding McCain as an offensive weapon has opened up looks for Joe. pic.twitter.com/FV2puX3zCm
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 13, 2026
That’s not just surviving-it’s contending.
And now, with Jalen Williams back in the mix after a 10-game absence, the Thunder’s rotation is getting a boost. Williams made his return in a 119-110 road win over the Lakers, where he shared the floor with McCain for the first time-and he liked what he saw.
“He fits right in,” Williams said. “Our team is very easy to fit, especially if you’re young.
Our team is really easy to get along with. It’s just one of our superpowers.”
Williams also shared a full-circle moment with McCain, recalling when he gave a speech in the lottery room during the draft process. McCain, still a prospect at the time, stood out by asking questions-something Williams remembered.
“He’s a really good kid,” Williams said. “Nobody else asked me anything, and I’m pretty sure my brother was in there.”
That kind of connection-on and off the court-is something the Thunder have quietly built into their identity. It’s not just about talent; it’s about fit, culture, and chemistry.
McCain’s early returns show he checks all those boxes, and with the Thunder eyeing a deep playoff run, his arrival might end up being more than just a midseason footnote. It could be a key piece in their championship puzzle.