Thunder trade grades for deals that bring Jared McCain to OKC

Before Thursday’s deadline, Oklahoma City The Thunder traded for Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain in a deal that included four draft picks from a treasure trove of assets that GM Sam Presti has preserved over the years. While trade rumors surrounding the Thunder have been linked to the center, Oklahoma City acquired Mason Plumlee of the Charlotte Hornets to a three-team deal with the Chicago Bulls.

However, the Thunder’s trade for Plumlee, in exchange for Usman Dieng and the Hornets’ future second-round pick, likely opened up a roster spot for McCain. The Thunder return four draft picks, including three second-rounders. Unless Oklahoma City makes a third deal before Thursday’s 3:00 p.m. EST deadline, the defending champions are expected to waive Plumlee, who is out of contract, when the trade is completed.

Dieng will join the Bulls in the deal that brought the Hornets Kobe White. At the same time, McCain will get a role with the Thunder, and it will most likely be as soon as possible, given the Thunder’s plethora of injured players. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander suffered an abdominal injury that will keep him sidelined during the All-Star break.

He joins a crowded backcourt with injuries to Thunder guards Alex Caruso, Kaison Wallace, Ajay Mitchell and Lou Dort, all of whom have been ruled out of Oklahoma City’s game against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. After playing in just his third game back from a calf injury, Isaiah Hartenstein suffered a scratch over his right eye during Tuesday’s 128-92 win over the Orlando Magic.

The Thunder wasted no time in trading for a good guard with a bright future ahead of him. After a torn ligament in his right thumb delayed his NBA debut last season, McCain received early Rookie of the Year honors. Then a torn meniscus ended his season in December 2024.

He averaged 15.3 points on 46.0% shooting, including 38.3% from deep, and 2.6 assists in 23 games. This season, McCain, amid a crowded backcourt for the 76ers, has taken on a reduced role in his first 37 games. McCain’s 25.7 minutes per game from last season dropped to 16.8 this year, while averaging 6.6 points on 38.5 percent shooting and 2.0 rebounds.

Evaluating the Thunder’s trade with the 76ers

Thunder GM Sam Presti cashed in on a handful of assets for Jared McCain, a second-year guard with plenty of upside who should fit well in head coach Mark Daigneault’s offense.

76ers get: 2026 first-round pick (via Rockets), 2027 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pick (via Bucks) and 2028 second-round pick (OKC’s)

Thunder receive: Jared McCain

This is one of the many reasons future assets are imperative in the NBA, allowing a young team like the Thunder to build its supporting cast around a championship core in All-Stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, all of whom are dealing with midseason injuries. Fortunately for the Thunder, neither appear to be long-term injuries, keeping the defending champions on track to make another deep postseason run.

McCain undoubtedly helps with that, given his catch-and-shoot numbers and the huge upside from the 76ers to the Thunder via trade. The sophomore guard was an elite threat, shooting 42.1% on 160 attempts in his final college season. McCain’s shooting has translated to the NBA level, where he made 38.3% of his 3-pointers in his rookie season.

This season, McCain’s three-point percentage has dipped slightly (37.8), while his attempts have dropped from 5.8 to 3.2 this season. With the Thunder, McCain’s attempts from beyond the 3-point arc should settle for somewhere in the middle. His shot splits, along with his quick release, bode well for Lou Dort, Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso, Ajay Mitchell and the rest of the Thunder backcourt.

Isaiah Joe leads the defending champs as his most efficient 3-point shooter (40.2%), with at least five players shooting 36.0% or better. McCain’s outside touch should match up with All-Star Shay Gilge-Alexander (39%), Aaron Wiggins (38.7%), Kason Wallace (36.7%) and Lou Dort (36%).

Final Thunder trade grade

For a team with the potential to become the first back-to-back NBA champions since the 2018 Warriors, these are the kinds of moves you make with the funds you’ve saved for long after the 2025 title. Picking up draft picks while half your team is recovering from respective injuries could be a colossal mistake, especially if the Thunder lose one or two of their go-to scorers to complement their top scorers in Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren and Williams.

Thunder trade rating: A