The Philadelphia 76ers certainly feel the absence of Jared McCain in their roster, yet Tyrese Maxey expresses pride in his former teammate’s achievements with the Oklahoma City Thunder. When addressing the media, Maxey openly acknowledged his feelings about the situation, demonstrating both personal and team perspectives on the trade.
I ain’t going to lie and say I don’t miss Jared,
Maxey told reporters.
But I’m happy for him. I’m happy for him. I watch him in OKC and hope he does well every single night, except for when he plays us.
Details Surrounding Jared McCain’s Trade to Oklahoma City
In February, the 76ers traded McCain to the Thunder, receiving a 2026 first-round draft pick, a 2027 second-round pick, and two second-round picks in 2028 in return. At that point, McCain was not a primary player for Philadelphia and was struggling to regain his early rookie season form, which was reduced by injuries including a torn meniscus and a thumb injury.
Jared McCain’s Performance Rebounds With the Thunder
The move to Oklahoma City has revitalized McCain’s career. The 22-year-old has now scored 20 or more points in three of his first 10 games with the Thunder, including a standout performance against the Chicago Bulls. He has reached double-digit scoring in eight games, showcasing consistent improvement after a challenging start with the 76ers.
During his rookie season, McCain averaged 15.3 points per game with a 38.3 percent success rate from three-point range, signaling his potential as a key contributor before injuries interfered. Now, playing alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and other sharpshooters, McCain benefits from better spacing on the floor, which could position the Thunder as serious title contenders.
Impact on the 76ers’ Season and Outlook
Since trading McCain, Philadelphia has posted a 4-7 record over 11 games and currently holds a tenuous hold on the Eastern Conference’s sixth seed, just half a game ahead of the Orlando Magic. This close margin places the 76ers on the edge of playoff qualification outside the play-in tournament, underscoring the challenges the team faces without McCain’s contribution.
As the squads move forward, McCain’s resurgence with the Thunder highlights his value and potential, while Maxey’s support reflects the strong bonds between teammates despite roster changes. The upcoming games will reveal how both franchises adjust and strive toward their respective goals this season.
Tyrese Maxey: “I ain’t going to lie and say I don’t miss Jared [McCain]. But I’m happy for him. I’m happy for him. I watch him in OKC and hope he does well every single night, except for when he plays us.”
— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) March 4, 2026
