Why the 76ers Need to Stay the Course with Jared McCain
Jared McCain’s second year in the league hasn’t exactly taken off the way many hoped. After a promising rookie campaign that had him on pace for Rookie of the Year honors, the sophomore guard has hit a rough patch-one that’s sparked some early trade talk.
Most notably, a recent mock deal floated the idea of sending McCain to Memphis in exchange for Jaylen Wells and GG Jackson. While that package might intrigue some, it’s far too soon for Philadelphia to pull the plug on McCain’s development.
Let’s rewind for a moment. McCain’s rookie season, albeit cut short, was a glimpse into what he could become.
In 23 games, he averaged 15.3 points on 46% shooting and chipped in 2.6 assists per game. He showed real promise as a three-level scorer with the ability to operate both on and off the ball.
That kind of offensive versatility is something every team covets-especially one like the Sixers, who are still searching for consistent creators outside of Tyrese Maxey.
Fast forward to this season, and the numbers paint a different picture. Through 16 games, McCain is averaging 6.9 points on 33.9% shooting with 1.8 assists.
The efficiency has dipped, and so has his role. But context matters here.
McCain missed the start of the season after suffering a torn UCL in late September, following a torn meniscus that ended his rookie year last December. He’s played just 39 total NBA games-less than half a regular season.
That’s not a fair sample size to judge a 21-year-old guard coming off two significant injuries.
He began this season on a minutes restriction, and even after being cleared, head coach Nick Nurse has kept his leash short. Nurse has always leaned toward players who bring it on both ends, and McCain’s defense-still a work in progress before the injuries-hasn’t quite earned him extended run.
That’s understandable. But it’s also part of the problem.
McCain hasn’t logged 20 minutes in a game since December 5th, when the Sixers beat the Bucks. Without consistent minutes, it’s tough for any young player to find rhythm-let alone one trying to re-establish himself after back-to-back injuries. He’s currently behind Quentin Grimes and rookie VJ Edgecombe in the rotation, averaging just 17.8 minutes per game.
And yet, even in limited action, there are still flashes. His shooting from deep (33.9% on 3.9 attempts) isn’t where it needs to be, but the mechanics are sound.
He’s struggled with ball pressure, especially in Maxey’s absence, but that’s part of the learning curve for any young guard trying to take on more responsibility. What McCain needs is reps.
He needs the chance to play through mistakes, to rediscover the offensive confidence he had before the injuries.
Trading him now would be a mistake-not because the proposed return lacks value, but because McCain still has untapped potential that fits what this Sixers team desperately needs: shot creation, ball-handling, and offensive variety. Those are rare traits, and McCain has already shown he can bring them to the table when healthy and given opportunity.
The Sixers don’t need to overreact to a slow start. They need to play the long game. McCain is still finding his footing, and with a little patience, he could still become a key piece of this team’s future.