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Jared McCain Trade Starting to Prove as a Win for the Thunder
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Jared McCain Trade Starting to Prove as a Win for the Thunder

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Paul Daniel Flores  |  Last updated Feb 23, 2026 4:56 PM ET

After a few more games, the Jared McCain trade is starting to feel like a win for OKC, and it seems they’re getting bigger value for him. In just six games with the Thunder, he’s already proving himself to be a key player in the rotation, especially with the team suffering injuries so far in the season. What’s more is that he’s also helping other players thrive.

At this point, one can say that he is getting accustomed to the Thunder culture. McCain is still young, which shows that he’s got a lot to learn. With him being in Oklahoma City for years to come, the former Sixers guard is gearing up for a bright future.

Jared McCain Trade Starting to Prove as a Win for the Thunder

OKC is a team that knows how to create talented players from lower picks in the Draft. McCain, for what it’s worth, is a top pick in his class. So the Thunder acquiring him at this point in their title defense is not a small move. They’re investing in him, and he may be the future that Oklahoma City can build on.

McCain is Blending Well With the Thunder

There’s no doubt that adding Jared McCain was a huge move to address OKC’s outlier shooting from three. It was dwindling for most of the season until the team found some groove in 2026. With McCain added to the lineup, it opened a lot of quality shooting for the team so far. If you are not impressed, McCain is shooting at 47.8% from deep. That’s a huge far cry from his shooting in Philadelphia, where he was at 37.8% from three last season.

After scoring seven and five points in his first two games, McCain has also been increasing his production. He’s scored in double digits in the last four games so far, proving that he is starting to become comfortable with OKC. His level of play is also activating their offense to another level, and that’s without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, or even Ajay Mitchell.

This dynamic with the Thunder is very fruitful. McCain was turning out to be a disappointing player in Philly, and the Sixers were not close to unlocking his full potential. With OKC, however, he is starting to show a lot of growth in his game. The fact that he’s thriving with Isaiah Joe just shows that former Sixers dynamic really being present in Oklahoma City at this point.

The Jared McCain Trade is the Future for OKC

Two years ago, Philadelphia was getting the buzz for a rising talent in McCain. In fact, we were seeing what some are saying as the “next Stephen Curry.” Sure, he’s not the swashbuckling shooter from three that demoralizes the opposing team. However, McCain is showing that he can move well off the ball, and he’s definitely great at setting plays, and he’s getting more confident now more than ever.

He’s even showing how capable he is when it comes to displacing and then relocating to an open spot. That’s the same level of play that Curry does, and this says a lot about how fans are getting hyped over him.

In the long run, McCain may just elevate his role with OKC. Being in the same age bracket as the Thunder core is not a coincidence — it’s a calculated plan. Sure, letting go of Ousmane Dieng was a gamble, but the Jared McCain trade is now showing results so far. He didn’t have this much freedom in his rookie year, and had an inconsistent role in his second. McCain getting to OKC is definitely a huge win.

If anything, this just shows that McCain is taking a big step in his career. Now more than ever, the Thunder guard is emerging as one of OKC’s steals in recent years. McCain is developing greatly in Oklahoma City, and he’s just getting started.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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