Jared McCain reveals if he is angry with Daryl Morey for trading him to Thunder after career night

Jared McCain says he still has love for Daryl Morey after Oklahoma City Thunder trade

Speaking after the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Game 3 win, Jared McCain answered whether his performance was about proving Daryl Morey wrong.

McCain said: “It’s never to prove anybody wrong. I try to keep a positive outlook. I like proving my support system right.”

“Daryl’s still the guy that drafted me, so I’ll always have love for him for that. He believed in me enough to take me at No. 16,” he added.

The answer was mature because McCain could have easily framed the night as a response to Philadelphia’s decision to move him at the trade deadline.

Morey drafted McCain with the No. 16 pick, then later sent him to Oklahoma City in a deal that brought Philadelphia a first-round pick and three second-rounders.

McCain has previously admitted the trade hurt badly, saying he cried when he found out he was being moved and did not even get a proper goodbye in Philadelphia.

Jared McCain career night gives Oklahoma City Thunder huge lift against San Antonio Spurs

McCain’s calm answer came after the kind of playoff performance that makes the trade look very different from Oklahoma City’s side.

He scored 24 points on 10-of-21 shooting, grabbed 4 rebounds, and finished with a plus-28 in 27 minutes as the Thunder beat the Spurs 123-108 to take a 2-1 series lead.

His scoring mattered even more because Oklahoma City was playing without Jalen Williams and fell behind 15-0 before the bench changed the game.

The Thunder reserves outscored San Antonio’s bench 76-23, with McCain leading the group and Jaylin Williams adding 18 points on a huge shooting night.

McCain also showed the fearlessness he talked about afterward, attacking Victor Wembanyama inside, handling pressure, and giving Oklahoma City steady offense when the game could have slipped away early.

That is why the Morey question was unavoidable. McCain’s best playoff game came at the exact moment Philadelphia’s decision to trade him was being reexamined, but his answer showed he would rather be remembered for growth than bitterness.