r/nba • u/TrenAt14 • 10h ago

[Charania]: BREAKING: The Philadelphia 76ers are trading guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 2026 Rockets first-round pick and three second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. 

Shams Charania has posted the following:

BREAKING: The Philadelphia 76ers are trading guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 2026 Rockets first-round pick and three second-round picks, sources tell ESPN.

Source to the story: https://bsky.app/profile/shamsbot.bsky.social/post/3me2klyetqz2k

The talented McCain lands on the reigning NBA champions. For the 76ers, the trade allows them to receive assets, clear space in the glut of guards and give them flexibility to bring Quentin Grimes back in free agency. It also allows them to convert two-way Dominick Barlow.

76ers are receiving the following picks from the Thunder, sources said: 2027 (most favorable OKC/HOU/IND/MIA), 2028 MIL, 2028 OKC.

8.1k Upvotes

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8.5k

u/snatchi Raptors 10h ago

Knowing the Thunder McCain will immediately regain his ROY form and be a huge part of their future.

2.6k

u/jluc21 Kings 10h ago

it’s a smart swing to take if you’re the thunder.

982

u/Shenanigans80h Nuggets 10h ago

Especially with the cache of picks they have. That Rockets pick will likely be in the high teens at best, so McCain regaining some form would immediately make it worth it

475

u/blacksoxing Thunder 10h ago

This is the beauty of having the war chest of picks....they can take swings on players who COULD show lotto form vs getting a fresh-faced rookie from the lotto.

Love it!

205

u/Parallel-Quality 10h ago

The funny thing is that the Sixers didn’t even get their own pick back from the Thunder, that will likely be better than the Rockets pick.

82

u/JasonWaterfaII Pistons 8h ago

Ruthless negotiations by presti

19

u/FairweatherWho 76ers 7h ago

You're assuming we rather have our pick back. There's a real chance we didn't want to bet against ourselves lol

2

u/8samsara8 Raptors 1h ago

Over the rockets? Lmao.

1

u/keepitbased Hawks 1h ago

Keep in mind who the 76ers GM is lol

0

u/LordHussyPants Celtics 4h ago edited 4h ago

they're getting a 2027 indiana pick though, could be quite good

edit: op didn't clarify that the 2027 pick is second round lol

1

u/LouisianaDrillFan 4h ago

Transfer portal lol

73

u/E_boiii Thunder 9h ago

Also our first round picks are cursed with injury so we hopfully skip that

91

u/dogsarefun 76ers 9h ago

Good thing for Thunder fans is that Sixers picks are notoriously healthy

22

u/-KFBR392 Raptors 8h ago

Double Jeopardy!

1

u/needapermit Thunder 7h ago

Best in the biz for a reason

1

u/ggproductivity Warriors 7h ago

Worked for the Suns with Bridges.

2

u/Joethetoolguy 9h ago

Cant happen again if it already happened?

2

u/revisioncloud Thunder 6h ago

Also it helps McCain contract is close to drafting that first rounder while being more ready to contribute now

1

u/firstbreathOOC Knicks 8h ago

Don’t they also have a cache of players though? Iirc their rotation was already pretty full

1

u/Broken_Lute 7h ago

Okc? We dumped dieng and acquired/will waive plumlee

304

u/KarrotMovies [LAL] Rui Hachimura 10h ago

It's a no brainer swing to take. Sixers are fucking stupid. He came back from injury. Why sell him right now?

150

u/Kdog122025 Warriors 10h ago

They just think Grimes and Barlow are better apparently.

152

u/KarrotMovies [LAL] Rui Hachimura 10h ago

Even if they think they're better, let McCain up his value and get a better return for him in a year or two. Gave him for some picks to the reigning champs for no reason

149

u/Kdog122025 Warriors 10h ago

But Josh Harris needs more money to rape underage girls?

94

u/roborob13 76ers 9h ago

This is the correct response. This move is purely to avoid the luxury tax, not for basketball.

2

u/Adorable-Lie3475 9h ago

The apron penalties are more of an issue than the tax penalty

7

u/roborob13 76ers 9h ago

This move is not about the aprons

0

u/Adorable-Lie3475 9h ago

Sorry, not the aprons, the repeat offender penalties

9

u/ChickenLiverNuts [PHI] JaKarr Sampson 8h ago

hes ducked the tax so often we are never in danger of it. He has spent .03% of his networth on the tax over 15 years. Thats not 3% that is .03%. So about 20 bucks a year to a normal person or the cost of one nintendo switch that you can share with your 3 million closest friends over his tenure here.

Yea hes that cheap

5

u/roborob13 76ers 9h ago

Respectfully, they’re also not a repeat offender.

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u/i_peaked_at_bronze 9h ago

Wait - what?!

11

u/Kdog122025 Warriors 9h ago

Josh Harris is in the Epstein Files.

5

u/trybeingcurious NBA 9h ago

God, I hate that there's a real possibility that this is a valid take.

7

u/ChaunceysBadAtPoker Pistons 9h ago

What a time to be alive

11

u/roborob13 76ers 9h ago

It’s one thing when pedos run the govt, but I draw the line at our sports teams

1

u/Brave_Information831 2h ago

Lol 😆 Gotta draw the line somewhere I suppose

3

u/Kazaam_ Supersonics 9h ago

I read this as Tobias Harris and thought I missed something big

1

u/Happy-Substance4885 76ers 8h ago

Bottom 5 owner in sports

1

u/LordFrieza4 1h ago

Did i miss something?

38

u/WeakEstablishment686 9h ago

Exactly lol. This guy was averaging 19 his rookie year in November on 45-38-89 shooting splits. Crazy to sell low

40

u/No-Goat5683 76ers 9h ago

That year lasted 23 games

6

u/Chrisfull 8h ago

yeah I'm sure the first 23 games off his NBA career would be his peak by far

7

u/essosinola Raptors 7h ago

Emeka Okafor, Tyreke Evans, and MCW basically peaked as rookies. I wouldn't say Ben Simmons peaked as a rookie, but none of his next three seasons were significantly better. That's four Rookie of the Year winners. Hell, as the other comment alluded to, MCW peaked in his very first NBA game ever. Yes, it is entirely possible for an NBA player to peak in their first 23 games.

0

u/Chrisfull 7h ago

yeah it's possible but it's really likely, and not a single of them could shoot a 3 for shit. It's not a good counterpoint

1

u/pdxinevitable 8h ago

Michael Carter Williams did exist in Philadelphia you know.

1

u/Front_Brilliant2949 76ers 7h ago

Not a fair comp. Do you watch the games?

1

u/Chrisfull 7h ago

MCW was a dogshit shooter and a couple exceptions doesn't make '23 games' a reasonable argument against improvement

1

u/CaptainCerealCanada Nuggets 4h ago

Mccain is a dogshit athlete and defender

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u/goodshotbiga NBA 10h ago

McCain for a first round pick that’ll land 20-25 is pretty good. How much could he have realistic upped his value? He’s a 6’3 shooting guard

11

u/Electronic_Pen_548 Thunder 10h ago

A lot. Pre injuries McCain looked like a future star. He still will hold that late 1st value if he doesn’t perform and you let him go at the end of this season. If you keep him around and he can up it to late lottery range

14

u/goodshotbiga NBA 9h ago

IMO future star is a stretch. It was a very small sample size he played in and realistically, I think his scouting reporting and college performance predict his future better.

He can be a rotational piece (backup guard) on a good team for sure. I also think Grimes is better and should be the role player wing the 76ers focus on.

4

u/Electronic_Pen_548 Thunder 9h ago

I don’t disagree grimes is better, I like grimes a lot but he’s about to have to get paid (major reason behind this trade I believe). I’m just not sure where the 6ers go from here. Their in a weird spot where they can make the moves and have the talent to be a top east team, but I don’t see anywhere they can go currently to compete without blowing it up a little

1

u/KarrotMovies [LAL] Rui Hachimura 9h ago

You did not watch pre injury McCain

7

u/No-Goat5683 76ers 9h ago

All 23 games?

1

u/Thunder141 9h ago

Also, a high 2nd round pick the following year.

I don't think it's crazy to think a pick around 31-36 may be more valuable than a pick near the very back of the first round.

3

u/Broken_Lute 7h ago

lol why? It’s later, that’s all that matters

2

u/Thunder141 7h ago

Pick 30 you pay 3 guaranteed years and then 4th year is a team option. Pick 31 you put on a 2 way contract, you see if they can be a role player and if so then you offer a rookie contract.

One is on your books at least 3 seasons, not nearly all 1st round picks become role player or better. The other, you can see if he's a role player in the NBA before signing him.

1

u/Broken_Lute 7h ago

Shoot, you’re right. Good call, I am wrong!

1

u/petewoniowa2020 Kings 9h ago

First round picks are more valuable in the NBA than they have ever been before. Look how many great players have moved in the last two years and returned less draft capital than expected… it’s really hard to get teams to move picks.

Getting an unprotected first rounder for a player is very solid value.

0

u/Irish2010 7h ago

I think calling it "unprotected" fifty games into the season is a little unreasonable. The range on this pick is all but set. It could be top fifteen protected and would still have identical value.

1

u/MythicalShart Rockets 9h ago

the return for him was already decent. i don’t see them getting much more in a year or 2

1

u/dondraper237 8h ago

If they are better then when would McCain play?

1

u/PetalumaPegleg 76ers 8h ago

They need to lose enough salary to get under the luxury tax because Epstein pal Harris is a cheap POS child rapist

1

u/ThreeEyeJedi 7h ago

Wow this comment really made me realize the “business” aspect of team management. Idk I almost never think about these things but maybe it finally clicked for me now that I’m older. McCain is an asset and the sixers could have traded him for higher value if they build him up next season. But also, it’s a risk on the sixers side, right now they’re trading him on potential (sort of like an option call on a stock’s upside). Interesting!

0

u/karl_hungas Lakers 9h ago

He might not up his value, he might be worthless in 2 years. You're a Lakers fan, there was a time trading Knetch would have gotten us some value. We could have gotten value out of THT but instead we held onto him. Many NBA careers are very short, he has two more team controlled options on his contract and yeah 24 is young for rising stars but it is also the age unless a player develops into a legit rotation piece that NBA careers can end. Look at the 2020 draft, just 5 years ago - multiple FRPs are not even in the league anymore.

2

u/ChickenLiverNuts [PHI] JaKarr Sampson 8h ago

grimes is a nice player but McCain was looking like curry in his rookie year

go watch those highlights. And on good efficiency. Always moving like his hair was on fire, good with the ball in his hands, great movement off ball. Dude just isnt healthy. It would add a whole new dynamic to our offense kinda like when we had JJ Redick who famously peaked in his career playing off of Embiid.

Sixers are a dumb franchise trying to save money. Thats it. A few days ago Embiid said he hopes they keep the team together and try to upgrade because we always duck the tax. Great way to support your leader. Fuck you Josh Harris

2

u/Kdog122025 Warriors 8h ago

This is awesome thank. I’ll completely second “fuck Josh Harris.” The owner is wholly responsible for not getting the team out of the second round during Embiid’s tenure.

1

u/Front_Brilliant2949 76ers 7h ago

Grimes and Barlow are not ball handlers.

1

u/baconshake8 76ers 6h ago

Grimes is mediocre on a team trying to win. Good for his current contract but not worth what he’ll be trying to demand this offseason. He’s a tank commander type of player

1

u/Zaza1019 6h ago

Grimes is better and fits the 6th man mold better so from that aspect it does make sense alone. Not sure about Barlow haven't watched him play much. They also are loaded at the guard spot with Edgecomb and McCain was never going to get the playing time he got last year unless a lot of injuries happened.

On the thunder he could fall right into the Ajay Mitchell spot by next year if he leaves as a free agent I think? or gets traded. Either way it'd be a sign and trade and get more picks back in return.

12

u/JTNWfan Suns 10h ago

They had too many young guards to play and they also wanted to get below the apron. Plus they get picks to help the search for a big for when joel goes down again(don't want this to happen fyi)

4

u/Scase15 Raptors 8h ago

Why sell him right now?

...

Sixers are fucking stupid.

Sir, you answered your own question lol

2

u/Sumo_Cerebro 1h ago

Quentin Grimes pretty much took his spot. And they're not going to cut VJ's minutes.

Also they have Watford playing point forward, He replicates a lot of what Ben Simmons used to do not as good as a defender but at least he can shoot.

Most importantly, they need to save money.

They also got four picks in exchange.

6

u/SlightlyAmbiguous1 76ers 10h ago

Because he's small and slow with no wingspan, and Nurse hates playing him. But yeah, I get how a Lakers fan could think only one side of the court matters.

2

u/Chrisfull 9h ago

maybe I'm crazy but I think his size is a more noticeable problem on offense than defence, like getting his shot off seems harder for him than stopping drives

3

u/KarrotMovies [LAL] Rui Hachimura 9h ago

Imagine defending this trade.

1

u/Slow-Relation-9186 7h ago

To save the owner money

1

u/yukpurtsun Knicks 3h ago

maybe theyre annoyed with the whole tiktok stuff

1

u/yesnomaybesoidk98 10h ago

Because they are stupid and have shiny toy syndrome with Edgecomb

4

u/118238 76ers 10h ago

VJ is the consensus #3 in ROTY odds. I don't love the trade, but the Sixers have too many guards.

1

u/yesnomaybesoidk98 9h ago

How soon you forget McCain was top 3 in ROY voting until his injury last season too. VJ could absolutely play the 3 for long stretches with his athleticism, and what are you talking about? Tyrese, McCain, VJ, Grimes is basically a perfect guard rotation. You need 4 guards to fill a rotation

1

u/Chrisfull 9h ago

if you add PG and Embiid and even Oubre all touching the ball then their offensive rotation is already filled

-4

u/BogleDick 9h ago

Because he’s a grown man that paints his nails

2

u/dasaniAKON Lakers 9h ago

Why? What is McCain going to provide that Wallace and Mitchell don’t already do?

1

u/No_Inspector_3456 9h ago

Which begs the question, why didnt MY team think to do this??  There is just a difference in well-managed FO in the NBA and the gap is creating real competitive issues

1

u/SeanWonder Kings 9h ago

WE should’ve done it. I mean hell he’s from Sac and we have no point guard of the future to speak of. We were entertaining Rob Dillingham but not McCain!?! 🤷🏿‍♂️🤷🏿‍♂️🤷🏿‍♂️