Jared McCain Embraces Fresh Start with Thunder: “I’m Just Happy to Be Part of This Culture”
Jared McCain’s introduction to Oklahoma City isn’t just a new chapter - it’s a full-on reset with a team that knows exactly who it is and where it’s headed. After a whirlwind 48 hours that saw the sophomore guard traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the defending champion Thunder, McCain is stepping into a locker room rich with continuity and culture - and he’s ready to contribute in any way he can.
Meeting with the media for the first time as a member of the Thunder ahead of Saturday’s matchup with the Houston Rockets, McCain didn’t shy away from the emotional weight of the move. But there was no mistaking the excitement in his voice - this is a player eager to embrace a new fanbase, a new system, and a new opportunity.
And for McCain, there’s already a connection with Oklahoma City’s electric atmosphere. He was in the building for Game 1 of last year’s NBA Finals between the Thunder and the Pacers - not as a player, but as the NBA’s rookie correspondent. That night left an impression.
“It was crazy. That was crazy,” McCain said with a smile, recalling the energy inside Paycom Center.
“I was with my friends during that time. We were sitting in the crowd.
That was a crazy atmosphere - one of the most I've been in, for sure.”
That memory isn’t just a highlight - it’s fuel.
“Any player ever wants that - that crowd,” he continued. “You dream about it.
You think about it when you're playing, doing a workout by yourself, or when you're counting down in your head. And when the crowd's reaction fills the stands, chanting the team's name, that's the best feeling.
So, I'm definitely excited.”
McCain’s enthusiasm is matched by his humility. He knows he’s joining a championship-caliber roster midseason, and his focus is squarely on fitting in - not standing out.
“Whatever coach has planned for me, I'm willing to do,” he said. “That could be spot-up shooting; whatever it is, I'm willing to do it. I'm just happy to be part of this culture and this program.”
That mindset is exactly what head coach Mark Daigneault and GM Sam Presti were looking for.
Daigneault made it clear the Thunder have had eyes on McCain for a while - dating back to the pre-draft process in 2024. Though Oklahoma City ultimately selected Nikola Topić with the 12th overall pick, McCain, who went 16th to Philly, never left their radar.
“Jared’s a really good kid,” Daigneault said. “We spent a lot of time with him in the draft process. Our scouts liked him back then and continue to like him in his NBA career.”
It’s not just about talent for the Thunder - it’s about fit. Culture.
Continuity. And Daigneault believes McCain checks all the boxes.
“He’s always been somebody that Sam and the rest of that group have had their eyes on,” Daigneault said. “We think he’s a really good fit with the group. First and foremost, with a team like ours that’s been successful and that’s also had a lot of continuity - it’s really important to Sam.”
Presti’s philosophy has long been about bringing in players who can “sing the Thunder’s song,” as Daigneault put it. In McCain, they see someone who’s not just talented, but aligned with the identity they’ve built.
“We think he’s cut from that cloth. We’re encouraged by that,” Daigneault added.
“Now, it’s just a matter of integrating him in a very organic way. Not trying to force anything.
But also, giving him a chance to strengthen the team. He’s also not here to be a bystander, either.”
That last line speaks volumes. McCain isn’t just a depth piece.
He’s a player the Thunder believe can contribute - and grow - within one of the league’s most cohesive systems. How his role evolves remains to be seen, but the foundation is already strong: a mutual respect between player and organization, and a shared hunger to keep winning.
For McCain, it’s a fresh start. For the Thunder, it’s another smart addition to a roster built on purpose and potential.
And for fans in Oklahoma City? They’re getting a player who’s not only ready for the moment - he’s been dreaming about it.