76ers GM Daryl Morey Makes Jared McCain Trade Admission on Friday

Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey addressed reporters on Friday and offered some strong insight into the blockbuster trade that sent second-year guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

McCain averaged 6.6 points, 2 rebounds and 1.7 assists across 37 games this season after missing the start of the campaign due to a medical setback, recovering from a torn ligament in his right thumb.

However, the Duke Blue Devils product was an absolutely different player during his rookie campaign with the Sixers. After being selected in the first round, he averaged 15.3 points, 2.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds over 23 games. 

But that impressive rookie campaign was also cut short by a meniscus injury, which ultimately affected his second year and dashed hopes of a strong comeback. So, trading McCain was the most sensible decision for the Sixers before moving forward, according to Morey.

So, the Sixers traded the 21-year-old to the defending champions on Wednesday in exchange for a protected 2026 Houston Rockets first-round pick and three second-round selections. 

Morey arranged the deal early to use the draft assets to improve the roster before Thursday’s trade deadline. The front office believed the team could compete in the East with Joel Embiid healthy and Tyrese Maxey playing at a high level, but no subsequent moves materialized.

When asked about the return Philadelphia received, Morey told reporters, "I'm quite confident that we were selling high [on McCain]," per veteran 76ers beat writer Derek Bodner of PHLY Sports. "Obviously, only time will tell."