Sixers Trade Jared McCain to Thunder: Kelly Oubre Jr. Reflects on the Move
LOS ANGELES - The Philadelphia 76ers hit the court for Thursday morning shootaround at Crypto.com Arena with one noticeable absence - second-year guard Jared McCain is no longer with the team.
The Sixers made a move on Wednesday afternoon, sending McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a trade that signals a shift in direction for Philly’s front office. It’s a tough goodbye for a young player who had been working his way back from multiple injuries and had just started to rediscover his rhythm.
McCain’s rookie campaign was disrupted by a torn meniscus and a UCL injury in his shooting hand - the kind of setbacks that can derail development early. But to his credit, the 21-year-old stayed the course.
His 3-point shooting had climbed back to a promising 37.8%, a sign that he was starting to find his footing again. That progress, however, now continues in Oklahoma City.
Veteran wing Kelly Oubre Jr. didn’t hide his emotions when asked about the trade.
“It sucks,” Oubre said, candidly. “A trade like that - the business side of basketball sucks.
He’s my little brother. He’s everybody’s brother here.”
It’s the kind of reaction that speaks volumes about McCain’s presence in the locker room. For a team trying to build chemistry and continuity, losing a well-liked young player stings - even more so when that player was just beginning to show flashes of his potential.
“He has a lot to grow, and he has a lot of potential to be able to do what he did and showed last year,” Oubre continued. “He was starting to find it, and now, he’s on a different team. He’s in a good situation, so I’m happy for him.”
And that situation in OKC? It’s tailor-made for a player like McCain.
The Thunder, fresh off a 2025 championship and stacked with young talent, have built a culture that emphasizes pace, space, and shooting - all areas where McCain can thrive. He’ll be surrounded by teammates in a similar age bracket, and he brings a skill set that fits right into what OKC is building.
“I really pray that he’s able to find his footing and fit in with those guys over there,” Oubre said. “He is an electric individual off the court. Just a great person, a great human being, so you wanna see him succeed.”
Oubre, now in his 11th year in the league, has seen plenty of teammates come and go. But this one clearly hit a little different. The bond between a veteran and a young player trying to find his way is a special one, and McCain’s departure leaves a void.
Still, the Sixers have to turn the page quickly. There’s no time to dwell - not with a matchup against the Lakers looming.
“It’s bittersweet, man,” Oubre said. “But at the end of the day, we got a game today.”
And as for McCain’s fit in Oklahoma City?
“I don’t worry about him finding his groove over there,” Oubre added with a smile. “That’s a young team, they’re all fashionable, they’re all swaggy - so he fits right in with that.”
The Sixers move forward, and McCain gets a fresh start with a team that could use his shooting and energy. It’s a classic NBA story - tough goodbyes, new beginnings, and the ever-present business side of the game.