Jared McCain trade: Sixers send rookie guard to Thunder for four draft picks

The Philadelphia 76ers swung one of deadline week’s more consequential future-focused moves late Wednesday, dealing guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a package of draft capital headlined by a 2026 first-round pick. For the Thunder, it’s a talent-and-upside bet for a title defense; for the Sixers, it’s a roster-clarifying pivot that adds picks, eases backcourt congestion, and improves financial flexibility heading into the final hours before the NBA trade deadline on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

McCain, 21, was the 16th pick in the 2024 draft and has spent much of his first two seasons managing injuries that interrupted his rhythm and development time. The trade sends him to a deeper roster where his minutes can be managed, while Philadelphia cashes in on a player who no longer fit cleanly with the team’s guard hierarchy.

Jared McCain trade terms and picks

The deal is straightforward: Oklahoma City sends four picks; Philadelphia sends McCain.

The first-rounder gives Philadelphia a direct foothold in the 2026 draft, while the three seconds add to a growing stockpile that can be used in future trades or to move around draft boards.

Why the Sixers moved on now

Philadelphia’s motive is as much about roster structure as it is about picks. The Sixers have leaned into a backcourt plan built around Tyrese Maxey and fellow young guard VJ Edgecombe, which made McCain a talented but increasingly redundant piece—especially with a roster that already had multiple guards competing for overlapping roles.

The pick haul also helps in two practical ways:

• Trade flexibility: Multiple second-rounders are useful “sweeteners” in multi-team deals and can help facilitate upgrades without requiring a premium prospect.

• Financial breathing room: The move pushes Philadelphia into a cleaner cap and tax posture, giving the front office more options for the rest of this season and into summer planning.

For a team trying to balance “win now” pressure with a longer timeline around Maxey and Edgecombe, converting McCain into picks is a way to keep optionality without taking on long-term salary.

McCain’s profile: promise, production, and interruptions

McCain’s early reputation was built on scoring versatility and confidence—traits that translate well to modern guard play. His first NBA season hinted at that ceiling before a torn meniscus ended his rookie year early. This season, he returned after a torn ligament in his right (shooting) thumb delayed his debut until early November.

In 37 games this season, McCain averaged 6.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 16.8 minutes, shooting 38.5% from the field. Those numbers don’t capture the full idea of why Oklahoma City is interested: the Thunder are betting on a healthier runway and a clearer role unlocking a player who has already shown he can generate offense in bursts.

The short version is that McCain’s value is still forward-looking. Philadelphia chose to monetize that upside now, while Oklahoma City is willing to invest draft capital to find out what he can become in their environment.

Why Oklahoma City made the move

For the defending champions, the logic starts with margins. Title teams often lose small advantages as the season wears on—injuries, fatigue, tighter scouting—and the Thunder have had their own health questions with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dealing with an abdominal strain that is expected to keep him out until after the All-Star break.

Adding McCain gives the Thunder another young creator who can play on or off the ball, soak up regular-season minutes, and potentially grow into a playoff-usable guard as he gains experience. Just as importantly, Oklahoma City’s depth allows them to develop him without demanding immediate stardom.

This is also a classic Thunder-style move: using surplus draft assets to take a calculated swing on a player who still fits a multi-year timeline, even while the team is competing for championships right now.

What happens next for both teams

Philadelphia’s next steps are about how (and whether) the front office turns this pick return into immediate help before Thursday’s deadline. A first-rounder plus extra seconds can be packaged in a variety of ways, from adding a rotation wing to balancing a larger multi-player deal.

For Oklahoma City, the immediate question is role and patience. McCain doesn’t need to be a savior for the trade to work; he needs to stay healthy, defend well enough to remain playable, and let his scoring instincts develop within a structured system. If he hits, the Thunder may have found another long-term contributor without compromising the top of their roster.

Sources consulted: NBA.com, ESPN, CBS Sports, PhillyVoice