How Jared McCain has moved on from 76ers GM Daryl Morey’s ‘sold high’ remark

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain cried when he was traded would Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey. The news shocked the sophomore guard, who celebrated his 22nd birthday in a city he never thought he would call home. Still, McCain has shined since joining the Thunder. Amid an increased role due to a slew of injuries, he has been a constant spark on coach Marc Daigneault’s bench.

McCain is averaging 14.0 points on 50.0% shooting, including 50% from deep on 9-of-18 attempts, 3.5 rebounds in 21.2 minutes over his last four games with the Thunder. He followed up his career-high 21 points in a 105-86 win over the Brooklyn Nets with 10 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, three rebounds and one steal in Sunday’s 121-113 win over the Cleveland Cavs.

Without All-Stars Shai Gildžius-Alexander, Jaylen Williams, Ajayi Mitchell and Alex Caruso, Isaiah Joe joined the Thunder’s starting lineup, while McCain and Jaylin Williams combined for 20 points off the bench. Against a healthy Cavs team led by All-Stars Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and James Harden, Joe’s 22 points, including six 3-pointers and five steals, led the Thunder to victory.

After the win, Joe reflected on how McCain passed opened up creative possibilities for the Thunder’s offense, which is finding ways to win without three of its top four scorers.

“It puts the defense in a dilemma to help or not, and it kind of creates driving lanes, even when they went box-and-1, and they were able to run, we still looked really good,” Joe said. “I think Lou got some open shots — J-Will, Chet. The shot didn’t fall, but because we have that gravity, we just try to find ways to either look, get shots, and a lot of times that creates opportunities for other people and other opportunities for everybody else.”

Joe is 33-for-65 from deep (50.8%) in February, including 18-of-31 in his last four games. The Thunder have won four of their last five without Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Mitchell. At the same time, the Sixers are 1-4.

Jared McCain felt ‘all the emotions’ after the trade with the Thunder

76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey felt confident about trading Jared McCain To the Thunder for a 2026 first-round pick and two future second-round picks. While the 76ers had some downtime at the point guard position with rookie VJ Edgecomb taking a prominent role over McCain, many fans felt it was too early to give up on the second-year guard.

Moray felt differently and he wasn’t afraid to say itas did he, according to NBC Sports Philly.

“I’m pretty confident we sold high. Obviously, time will tell, but the only other high point, and we didn’t want to sell, I’ll be honest,” Morey said. “Teams have been coming at us with aggressive offers for him, and you could say, yeah, it’s because he’s a good player. I agree with that. We thought this return was beyond what we could get for the future value of our franchise. So the only upside would be during his run last season. But otherwise, we feel like we had a good time.”

“I’m pretty confident we sold well” 😐

Daryl Morey explains why the Sixers pulled the trigger on trading 16th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Jared McCain. pic.twitter.com/DM6kJizmPk

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilli) February 6, 2026

McCain couldn’t believe it. He revealed how he found out about his trade days after the deal was made.

“We were all on the bus to the airport and I just got the call. I had no feeling. I didn’t think it was going to happen, to be honest. It was nothing, and I got the call, I just went and told everybody. I went to Tyrese (Maxie) first and it was pretty emotional,” McCain said.

However, his confidence never wavered after the 76ers’ Daryl Morey said goodbye moments after trading McCain before this year’s deadline.

“I’m allowing myself to feel all the emotions. It’s natural. Give yourself grace through this process,” McCain added. “But you move fast. I went down to LA and then I had to come straight here. It’s a little bit of both. It’s a balance you have to do.”

The Thunder will face the Raptors on Tuesday.