{"id":178668,"date":"2026-02-23T12:50:59","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T17:50:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=178668"},"modified":"2026-02-23T12:50:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T17:50:59","slug":"jared-mccain-trade-starting-to-prove-win-for-thunder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/02\/23\/jared-mccain-trade-starting-to-prove-win-for-thunder\/","title":{"rendered":"Jared McCain Trade Starting to Prove as a Win for the Thunder"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a few more games, the Jared McCain<\/a> trade is starting to feel like a win for OKC, and it seems they’re getting bigger value for him. In just six games with the Thunder, he’s already proving himself to be a key player in the rotation, especially with the team suffering injuries so far in the season<\/a>. What’s more is that he’s also helping other players thrive.<\/p>\n

At this point, one can say that he is getting accustomed to the Thunder culture. McCain is still young, which shows that he’s got a lot to learn. With him being in Oklahoma City for years to come, the former Sixers guard is gearing up for a bright future.<\/p>\n

Jared McCain Trade Starting to Prove as a Win for the Thunder<\/h2>\n

OKC is a team that knows how to create talented players from lower picks in the Draft. McCain, for what it’s worth, is a top pick in his class. So the Thunder acquiring him at this point<\/a> in their title defense is not a small move. They’re investing in him, and he may be the future that Oklahoma City can build on.<\/p>\n

McCain is Blending Well With the Thunder<\/h3>\n

There’s no doubt that adding Jared McCain was a huge move to address OKC’s outlier shooting from three. It was dwindling for most of the season until the team found some groove in 2026. With McCain added to the lineup, it opened a lot of quality shooting for the team so far. If you are not impressed, McCain is shooting at 47.8% from deep<\/a>. That’s a huge far cry from his shooting in Philadelphia, where he was at 37.8% from three last season.<\/p>\n

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Mark Daigneault on Jared McCain: \u201cHe\u2019s functional and respectful of the fact he\u2019s joining a team that\u2019s had a lot of success together. Including this season. But at the same time, he\u2019s confident. He\u2019s not sitting around and admiring the team. He\u2019s apart of it.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/QQ9XS9U5nL<\/a><\/p>\n

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) February 19, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n