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Thunder Starting Lineup: Jared McCain Starts Game 5 Against Spurs

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Thunder’s Gamble Pays Off: Jared McCain Shines in First Playoff Start

"I think he's a special human being... I've never seen someone so happy every single day."
— Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, after Game 5

The Playoff Breakthrough

In a critical Game 5 against the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault turned to rookie Jared McCain as a starter. With Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell sidelined by injury, McCain was thrust into the spotlight.

McCain delivered 20 points on 7-for-19 shooting, including 3-of-9 from beyond the arc. His performance helped the Thunder secure a series-clinching win, advancing deeper into the playoffs.

The Trade That Made It Possible

On February 4, the Philadelphia 76ers traded Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a deal centered around future draft capital.

The Thunder sent the 76ers:

  • A 2026 first-round pick (No. 22 overall)
  • A 2027 second-round pick (best of Thunder, Pacers, Rockets, Heat)
  • Two 2028 second-round picks (from OKC and Milwaukee)

Then-76ers president Daryl Morey defended the move, stating: "I'm quite confident we were selling high." He added that the trade helped the team dodge the luxury tax and that the draft picks would be more valuable in the long run.

Young, Cheap, and Improving

At just 22 years old, McCain is a guard with two team option years remaining on his contract—a maximum of $6.8 million annually. That's a bargain for a player producing in the playoffs.

Before the trade, McCain averaged 6.6 points per game on below 40% two-point shooting. After joining the Thunder, his performance surged, especially in high-pressure playoff minutes.

Why It Worked for Oklahoma City

The Thunder, already flush with future draft picks, could afford to part with the selections sent to Philadelphia. In return, they landed a young, low-cost contributor who immediately stepped up when it mattered most.

For Philadelphia, the picks offer flexibility. They can be used to draft prospects or packaged in trades to strengthen the roster.

The Bottom Line
  • Thunder gain: A rising young guard with playoff grit, locked into a team-friendly contract.
  • 76ers gain: Draft capital that could fuel future moves—but they lost a player who just helped win a playoff series.

McCain scored 20 points in his first playoff start. The Thunder advanced. The draft picks? That story is still being written.