Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain. Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Jared McCain showing Thunder made best trade of the season

By Sean Keane | Last updated Mar 19, 2026 6:46 PM ET

The Oklahoma City Thunder were already the favorites to win a second straight NBA title. Then they filled their biggest need by trading for sharpshooting guard Jared McCain for a bargain price.

OKC sent its own 2026 first-round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers along with three second-rounders for McCain, the No. 16 pick in the 2024 draft. McCain had fallen out of favor in Philadelphia but has thrived with the league-leading Thunder, scoring a game-high 26 points in a 121-92 win over the Brooklyn Nets Wednesday.

Jared McCain fits a glaring need for the OKC Thunder

One of the rare areas where the Thunder aren't an elite team is in three-point shooting. The Thunder are 15th in three-pointers and 13th in three-point percentage, with Jalen Williams' injury-plagued season hurting the team's outside attack. OKC's talented defensive guards aren't shooting well from deep, with Lu Dort (33 percent), Alex Caruso (29.7 percent), Cason Wallace (33.9 percent) and Ajay Mitchell (34 percent) all struggling.

That's where McCain has been an immediate help. In his 18.8 minutes per game, McCain averages 2.2 threes on five attempts, an excellent 44 percent mark. The 22-year-old guard is thriving coming off dribble screens and taking dribble handoffs in the Thunder offense. He's especially potent due to his quick release on his jump shot.

Lightning McCain pic.twitter.com/t6OFBnbC3N
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 19, 2026

McCain seems to be fitting in well with his young teammates, who adopted his three-point celebration during his five-triple effort against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jared McCain is fitting right in with OKC

(h/t @ThunderFilmRoom) pic.twitter.com/d7Gpt0KjwS
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) March 16, 2026

Oklahoma City Thunder's gain is Philadelphia 76ers' loss

Not only does McCain fill a huge need on the court for the Thunder, but he's a very affordable piece for a roster that's going to become much more expensive when big extensions for Williams and Chet Holmgren kick in for the 2026-27 season. McCain is signed for the next two seasons for just over $11M total, a bargain for a team facing salary-cap constraints.

Getting McCain did cost multiple draft picks, but the Thunder have a huge trove of future picks, including first-rounders from the Sixers and L.A. Clippers. To turn some of that draft capital into a cost-controlled young player — one who was leading the Rookie of the Year race before an early injury ended his 2024-25 season — was a coup.

Meanwhile the 76ers are short on backcourt depth thanks to injuries to Kelly Oubre Jr. and Tyrese Maxey, who may be worn down by playing a league-leading 38.1 minutes per game. The Sixers are 21st in three-pointers and 25th in three-point percentage, but they traded McCain anyway — to get under the luxury tax.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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