Jared McCain Excited for First NBA Playoff Run with Thunder

Second-year guard eager to contribute to defending champions' title defense

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:51am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a basketball game, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the action on the court.Jared McCain's first NBA playoff appearance with the Thunder promises an energetic, high-stakes debut on the league's biggest stage.Oklahoma City Today

After being traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline, second-year guard Jared McCain is thrilled to be playing in his first NBA postseason. McCain, considered one of the best shooters from the 2024 draft class, is looking forward to contributing to the Thunder's championship defense.

Why it matters

McCain's addition provides a much-needed perimeter shooting boost for the defending champion Thunder, who are favored to win another title. As a young player, this will be McCain's first taste of high-stakes playoff basketball, giving him a chance to showcase his skills on the biggest stage.

The details

After a season and a half with the 76ers, McCain was surprisingly traded to the Thunder at the deadline. The Thunder, who are looking to defend their championship, needed to add more shooting, and McCain fit the bill as one of the best young marksmen in the league. Now, the second-year guard is eager to contribute to the Thunder's title defense.

  • McCain was traded to the Thunder at the 2026 NBA trade deadline.
  • The Thunder finished the 2025-26 regular season with an 82-0 record.

The players

Jared McCain

A second-year guard who was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the 2026 NBA trade deadline. He is considered one of the best shooters from the 2024 draft class.

Sam Presti

The general manager of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who orchestrated the trade to acquire Jared McCain and bolster the team's perimeter shooting ahead of the playoffs.

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What they’re saying

“I'm super excited. First of all, I'm proud of finishing the season... I'm just grateful to be here. Super excited for playoff basketball. I've watched it all my life, and it's going to be super fun to be a part of.”

— Jared McCain, Thunder Guard

What’s next

The Thunder will begin their quest for a second consecutive NBA championship when the playoffs tip off in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Jared McCain's trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder has given the young guard his first opportunity to play in the NBA playoffs, as he looks to contribute to the defending champions' title defense. This experience will be invaluable for McCain's development and could help propel the Thunder to another championship.