Tyrese Maxey, Sixers Locker Room Shaken After ‘Unexpected’ Jared McCain Trade to Thunder
The Philadelphia 76ers’ decision to trade second-year guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder ahead of the 2026 trade deadline has left a palpable void in the locker room, with All-Star Tyrese Maxey describing the move as an emotional blow to the team’s chemistry.
Maxey, who had taken the former Duke standout under his wing, admitted the deadline was a “hard day” for the squad. Speaking to reporters, Maxey revealed the confusion that unfolded when the news broke while the team was on the team bus, initially believing the report was a joke. “It’s part of the business, number one,” Maxey said. “Number two, it’s just sad. He was like a little brother to me… It’s just, you know, unexpected. You just never know.”
On social media, Maxey posted a heartfelt farewell to McCain, captioning a photo “My slime” with an emotional emoji, signaling the close bond shared between the two guards.
The Deal and the Strategy
In the deal, Philadelphia sent McCain to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick (originally from the Houston Rockets) and three future second-round selections. Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey defended the move as a “sell-high” opportunity, citing the crowded backcourt rotation. With Maxey locked in as the franchise cornerstone and the rapid emergence of rookie V.J. Edgecombe, the organization reportedly saw McCain’s long-term fit as questionable.
McCain, selected 16th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, became an instant fan favorite in Philadelphia, buoyed by his energetic personality and massive following on TikTok. However, his on-court tenure was marred by injuries, including a meniscus tear during his rookie season and a thumb injury that delayed his 2025-26 debut. He played approximately 60 games in a Sixers uniform, showing flashes of scoring brilliance but struggling to consistently crack head coach Nick Nurse’s rotation.
Fan Backlash and Financial skepticism
Despite the logical basketball arguments regarding rotation minutes, the trade has sparked significant backlash among the Sixers’ fanbase. Critics argue that the move signals a lack of commitment to winning now, accusing ownership of prioritizing financial flexibility over talent retention. By moving McCain, the Sixers successfully ducked under the luxury tax threshold for the fourth consecutive year—a point of contention for fans desperate for a championship push.
The frustration was compounded by the front office’s failure to immediately repurpose the acquired draft capital. Morey stated that the goal was to use the picks to upgrade the roster immediately, but admitted that “no deal materialized” to bring in a needle-moving veteran. This has left the fanbase skeptical of the strategy, viewing the transaction as a salary dump of a high-upside 21-year-old talent rather than a strategic pivot for a title run.
While Morey insists the return—a first-round pick and multiple seconds—was “above market value” for a player with McCain’s injury history, the emotional toll on the roster is undeniable. “He got a fan in me for life, a brother in me for life,” Maxey concluded. “Hopefully he gets an even better opportunity over there to succeed.”
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