Jaylon Tyson’s Rise Puts 76ers’ Jared McCain Pick Under the Microscope
A year ago, Jared McCain looked like a draft-day gem for the Philadelphia 76ers. The rookie out of Duke came out firing, giving the Sixers a much-needed offensive spark and looking every bit the part of a future cornerstone. But fast forward to today, and the narrative has taken a sharp turn - one that’s only been magnified by the emergence of a player Philly passed on: Jaylon Tyson.
Let’s rewind for a moment. In his first 23 games as a pro, McCain was lights out.
He averaged 15.3 points per game, buried 38.3% of his threes, and looked like the most polished rookie in the class. He wasn’t just holding his own - he was leading the Sixers’ offense at times.
But then came the knee injury that ended his season, and since returning, McCain has struggled to recapture that early magic.
Now, he’s shooting just 32.3% from deep and 35.4% from the field overall. His scoring is down, his confidence looks shaken, and the impact he once had?
It’s gone. When McCain’s on the floor, the Sixers’ offense sputters, and the team’s net rating tanks.
It’s not just an NBA problem, either - even his G League stints haven’t helped him find his rhythm. For a player who once looked like a key part of the Sixers’ future, McCain is now barely hanging onto a rotation spot.
To make matters more complicated, Philadelphia added another combo guard this past offseason in VJ Edgecombe. And Edgecombe?
He’s been everything they hoped McCain would be in Year 2 - efficient, dynamic, and already entrenched in the starting lineup alongside Tyrese Maxey. That backcourt duo is clicking, and with two undersized guards already in the fold, there’s simply less room - and less need - for a third.
That’s the short-term picture. But the long-term view is where things get even tougher for the Sixers.
Enter Jaylon Tyson.
On January 16th, Tyson and the Cavaliers came into Philly and walked away with a two-point win. Tyson didn’t just contribute - he stole the show.
The second-year wing dropped 39 points on 13-of-17 shooting, including a blistering 7-of-10 from three. He added five rebounds, four assists, and capped the night with the game-winning dime.
It was the kind of performance that makes you sit up and say, “Wait… how did this guy slip past us?”
Tyson’s breakout hasn’t just been a one-night wonder. He’s been trending up for weeks, carving out a starting role in Cleveland and proving he belongs in their long-term plans.
He’s averaging 13.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and knocking down an eye-popping 47.3% of his 4.3 three-point attempts per game. That’s elite efficiency from the wing - and it’s exactly what the Sixers are missing.
Philadelphia’s biggest need right now? Help on the wing.
With Paul George in the mix and Maxey and Edgecombe manning the backcourt, the Sixers are thin in terms of size, perimeter defense, and floor spacing from the forward spots. Tyson checks every one of those boxes.
Whether he started at the 3 and shifted George to the 4, or came off the bench as a high-impact sixth man, Tyson would give this team a dimension they sorely lack.
And beyond this season, Tyson’s fit becomes even more compelling. His size, defensive versatility, and shooting make him an ideal complement to Maxey and Edgecombe.
McCain, talented as he is, just doesn’t offer that kind of positional flexibility. The Sixers didn’t just miss out on a better rookie season - they may have passed on a player who fits their present and future far more cleanly.
Now, it’s not over for McCain. Players bounce back from injuries all the time, and he showed enough as a rookie to believe there’s still a productive NBA player in there.
But the clock is ticking. The Sixers are in win-now mode, and every game that passes with McCain struggling and Tyson thriving only adds to the regret.
Friday night’s loss to Cleveland wasn’t just another regular season game. It was a gut punch - a reminder of what could’ve been. Tyson’s star is rising, and in Philadelphia, the “what if” is getting louder.