Initially, the Philadelphia 76ers assumed it was a genius idea to land a first and three second-round picks at the trade deadline from the Oklahoma City Thunder for Jared McCain. He was underperforming in Philadelphia, so it seemed logical. However, little did they know the Thunder executed highway robbery and secured an elite sharpshooter to their roster who has shone in his new threads; a move the LA Clippers regret not making.
In fact, Lawrence Frank would likely not have minded parting ways with several of LA’s veterans, and possibly even some of the youngsters, if it meant McCain was coming to the Clippers.
That’s more value gone to Philadelphia, but it would have only been possible if Frank had taken advantage of an opportunity to buy low on a former lottery pick that simply needed a change of scenery.
Jared McCain would've been perfect on the Clippers
Jared McCain is 22 years old, and contrary to the belief that the Philadelphia 76ers set, his career is not spiraling; he is extremely gifted on both sides of the ball, with a personality that’s hard not to like.
For the Thunder, McCain has averaged 11.4 points and 2.3 rebounds, shooting 46.4% from the field and 43.8% from beyond the arc in just 18.6 minutes. This is elite production, and it’s gravitated towards wins.
McCain also just had one of his best games as a member of the Thunder with 15 points and five three-pointers in 17 minutes. He did it effortlessly, and as he was torching the Minnesota Timberwolves from deep, the youngster displayed his strong chemistry with the rest of the squad.
Now, imagine if the Clippers took the smart route the Thunder did, and traded for McCain when his value was at the lowest it’ll ever be. Where would they be now?
Well, for starters, LA would have the best bench in the NBA. Nothing any team could construct would top McCain, alongside Bennedict Mathurin and Jordan Miller, who are all high-level NBA scorers.
Onwards, and in the playoffs, Tyronn Lue would have allowed McCain to spread his wings in a win-now movement starring Kawhi Leonard, and then grown with Darius Garland and Co.
All in all, the Clippers missed a golden opportunity at the deadline, which the Thunder sure weren’t going to. McCain is ridiculously young and on one of the better contracts in the league. These are two appealing attributes that don’t come around often.