Thunder pull off steal with big trade addition

As if having the best record in the NBA weren’t already enough, the Oklahoma City Thunder have improved their roster ahead of the trade deadline.

The Thunder on Wednesday acquired guard Jared McCain in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers. Philly is receiving a 2026 first-round pick and three second-round picks in return for McCain. The 2026 first-round pick is one that originally belonged to Houston.

McCain was a Rookie of the Year contender last season. He averaged 15.3 points on 46 percent shooting per game and finished seventh in Rookie of the Year voting. That was a pretty high finish considering McCain only played in 23 games due to thumb and knee injuries.

This season, McCain had appeared in 37 games but only made one start for Philly. He found it tough to earn playing time in a crowded Sixers backcourt. Now, he is being sent to OKC, which also has plenty of guards, but where he may be able to see more playing time.

After a rough start to this season, McCain shot 45 percent from the field in January and made 48.6 percent of his three-pointers. He seems to be heating up, and many Sixers fans feel like the team is selling low on the 2024 No. 16 overall draft pick.