The NBA trade deadline is always good for a few surprises, and Wednesday delivered one with some real long-term implications. The Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder made a deal that’s less about the here and now and more about what each franchise is building toward.
Philadelphia is sending guard Jared McCain to the Thunder in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick (via the Rockets) and three second-rounders. That’s a pretty significant return for a player who, just a year ago, looked like a cornerstone in Philly’s future plans.
McCain, the Sixers’ first-round pick in 2024, came into the league with a bang. Early in his rookie campaign, he was flashing the kind of poise, shot-making, and basketball IQ that had him firmly in the Rookie of the Year conversation. But a shoulder injury cut that promising season short, and he’s been trying to find his rhythm ever since.
This year, McCain’s comeback has been a bit of a mixed bag. He’s healthy, but consistent minutes have been hard to come by in Nick Nurse’s rotation.
Part of that is due to the emergence of rookie VJ Edgecombe, who’s quickly carved out a role with his energy, defense, and ability to impact the game without needing the ball in his hands. With Edgecombe rising, McCain became the odd man out - not because of a lack of talent, but because of fit and timing.
Enter the Thunder.
Oklahoma City has made a habit of stockpiling young, versatile guards who can play both ends of the floor, and McCain fits that mold. He brings a strong shooting touch - something the Thunder could use as they’ve hit cold spells from deep at times this season - and he’s still just scratching the surface of what he can be at the NBA level. For a team that’s already ahead of schedule in the Western Conference, adding another young weapon without giving up any current core pieces is a savvy move.
As for the Sixers, this trade is about flexibility. That 2026 first-round pick from Houston could carry real value, especially if the Rockets' rebuild doesn’t accelerate the way they hope. Add in three second-rounders, and Philly just gave itself more ammo for future deals - whether that’s chasing another star, moving up in a future draft, or simply restocking the pipeline with young talent.
This move doesn’t scream blockbuster, but it’s the kind of deadline deal that could quietly pay dividends down the line. The Thunder get immediate shooting help and another developmental piece, while the Sixers continue to shape their roster around Joel Embiid’s prime with an eye on both the short and long term.
Bottom line: both teams got what they were looking for - and in a deadline season that’s already been unpredictable, this one might end up being one of the more quietly impactful moves.