When taken back to the first quarter of the 2024-25 regular season, Philadelphia 76ers’ rookie, Jared McCain, was at the helm of Rookie of the Year conversations. Unfortunately, severe injuries to his meniscus and UCL cost him a window that was closed by VJ Edgecomb. As a result, the 76ers recently decided to assign him to the Delaware Blue Coats, their G-League affiliate.
Jared McCain has been assigned to the Delaware Blue Coats
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 17, 2026
He's averaging 6.3 PPG, 2.2 RPG and 1.6 APG in his sophomore season pic.twitter.com/nrkFcTO2Iq
For the longest time, the LA Clippers have had a fantasy of rostering a young, potential all-star. They cannot land one in the lottery, and every team is protecting their potential-rich rookies and sophomores with an untouchable status.
Thus, McCain is the best risk on the market, and the Clippers could make a dream come true by acquiring him for a ridiculously low price.
Jared McCain’s struggles with the 76ers must not define his career
The 2025 Rookie of the Year finalists were crystal clear after Jared McCain went down with an injured meniscus. There was Stephon Castle, the winner, Zaccharie Risacher, the runner-up, and in third place was Jaylen Wells of the Memphis Grizzlies.
However, McCain missed 59 games and still finished seventh, ahead of numerous great names. That is how valuable and cherished his 15.3 points per game were on an underperforming Philadelphia 76ers squad.
Furthermore, the 76ers sent McCain to the Delaware Blue Coats because he has not found a grip on a successful stretch of games. His season-high so far is 20 points, but in each month(November, December, and January), he has not eclipsed an average of eight points per game.
Consequently, over the season, he is averaging only 6.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, shooting 35.4% from the field and 32.3% from distance.
Despite the low averages and concerning splits, McCain can catch such fire from long distances that the leather would burn off the basketball. On top of that, he is an excellent shooter and premier finisher, and he has a humble personality that fans of the LA Clippers would instantly love.
He was recruited to Duke, one of the most prestigious college basketball programs in the country, stood out through a one-and-done season, and was drafted 16th overall, where Philadelphia knew he was a steal.
This was all for one reason: McCain is a gifted, young star. He is only 21, and on the Clippers’ core, occupied by Jordan Miller, Kobe Sanders, Yanic Konan Niederhauser, and Cam Christie, the former five-star prospect would elevate Lawrence Frank’s bright future immediately.