Thunder have Russell Westbrook to thank as Jared McCain trade keeps getting better
The Oklahoma City Thunder ought to be thanking Russell Westbrook as a result of the first-round draft decide they received from the Houston Rockets was the centerpiece of the Jared McCain trade. OKC gave up the twenty second decide within the 2026 NBA Draft, which simply changed into Labaron Philon Jr., and three second-rounders to get McCain from the Philadelphia 76ers. It was a surprising deadline deal that paid immediate dividends for the Thunder.
The 22-year-old guard was struggling for the Sixers, however he began making photographs and gaining confidence with the Thunder. McCain averaged 10.0 factors and 1.9 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per recreation over 15 playoff appearances. OKC desperately wanted him as Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell handled accidents. McCain delivered two 20-point video games to assist the Thunder win, however it wasn’t fairly sufficient towards the Spurs within the convention finals.
Sam Presti would not have been ready to purchase McCain with out buying and selling Russ in 2019. It was painful. The Thunder legend spent his first 11 seasons in Oklahoma City. He received an MVP and led them to the playoffs 9 instances. The dynasty never quite materializedhowever there was success.
Westbrook is a Hall of Famer for what he did with the Thunder, however it was time to transfer on. Credit to Presti for ensuring the franchise remains to be benefiting from strikes like this.
Thunder look genius for the Jared McCain trade thanks to Russell Westbrook
The Rockets rapidly regretted buying and selling for Westbrook. They gave up Chris Paul and two first-round draft picks to win one playoff collection. Russ was traded to the Wizards after only one season, and Houston launched into a rebuild. The Thunder made the playoffs with CP3 and flipped him for a first-round draft decide in 2020.
Oklahoma City took Nikola Topic with the twelfth total decide in 2024. They additionally acquired two swaps that didn’t get conveyed on this deal. The last return was Paul, Topic, and Philon Jr. for Westbrook. The Thunder unquestionably received this trade and can profit from it for years to come.
Here is a have a look at the complete particulars of the Jared McCain trade from again in February.
Thunder acquired:Jared McCain
76ers received: Labaron Philon Jr., 2027 2nd spherical decide, 2 2028 2nd spherical picks
OKC nonetheless owes the 76ers three second-round draft picks. It is troublesome to join on late picks, and that received even tougher within the NIL period. Players are getting tens of millions to keep in faculty, so they do not need to come to the NBA for a two-way or non-guaranteed contract.
The 76ers would have to hit large on one among these draft picks to salvage any declare to successful the Jared McCain trade. That appears unlikely, and the younger guard ought to solely enhance. McCain is a bucket and can get loads of open appears taking part in in OKC. Expect him to maintain scoring and making an influence on the most important levels.
McCain is a better prospect than Philon. The rookie guard is 6’2 and lacks the explosiveness of McCain. OKC received an improve on a rookie contract for an inexpensive trade package deal. Consider it a win-win-win by Presti.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have Russell Westbrook to thank for serving to them purchase Jared McCain. The Thunder had to trade away the long run Hall of Famer to get the draft decide that was simply despatched to Philadelphia.
Both had been daring strikes. Fans know Sam Presti isn’t afraid to shake issues up, and followers can anticipate him to maintain doing simply that as the Thunder’s roster will get too costly. Everyone ought to belief him to maintain nailing each transfer.
