Oklahoma City Thunder Acquire Former Duke Star Jared McCain

Thunder star Jalen Williams welcomes new teammate McCain to the team.

Feb. 12, 2026 at 2:15pm

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The Oklahoma City Thunder have acquired former Duke standout Jared McCain via a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers. Following the move, Thunder star Jalen Williams expressed excitement about adding McCain to the team, noting that the young player will fit in well with the Thunder's tight-knit roster.

Why it matters

The Thunder are currently the top seed in the Western Conference and are looking to build on their success from last season, when they won their first NBA title. Adding a talented young player like McCain could provide a boost as the team makes a push for another championship.

The details

McCain was the 16th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and has career averages of 9.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 42.9% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range. The Thunder are hoping he can provide additional scoring and perimeter shooting to complement their existing roster.

  • The trade was completed before the 2026 NBA trade deadline.

The players

Jalen Williams

A 24-year-old star player for the Oklahoma City Thunder, averaging 17.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game this season.

Jared McCain

A former first-round draft pick (16th overall in 2024) who was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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What they’re saying

“He fits right in. Our team is very easy to fit.. especially if you're young, our team is really easy to get along with. It's just one of our super powers. And he's a really good kid.”

— Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder Player

What’s next

The Thunder will look to integrate McCain into their rotation as they continue their push for the playoffs and a potential second straight NBA championship.

The takeaway

The Thunder's ability to acquire and develop young talent has been a key factor in their recent success, and the addition of McCain represents another step in that process as they aim to build a sustainable contender.