Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain has no resentment toward Daryl Morey despite being dealt by the ex-Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations at the trade deadline.
"It's never to prove anybody wrong. ... I try to keep a positive outlook, and I like proving my support system right," McCain told reporters Friday following the Thunder's Game 3 win, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
McCain added: "Daryl's still the guy that drafted me, and so I'll always have love for him for that. He trusted me. He believed in me enough to take me at the 16th spot (in the draft), so I'm forever grateful for that, no matter what."
Philadelphia selected McCain with the No. 16 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The Duke product had a strong rookie campaign with the 76ers, averaging 15.3 points and shooting 38.3% from beyond the arc.
However, McCain's debut season was limited to 23 appearances after he sustained a meniscus tear in his left knee.
The 6-foot-3 guard looked poised for a bigger role in 2025-26 but missed Philadelphia's first six games after suffering a UCL tear in his right thumb during a preseason workout.
McCain's play turned inconsistent once he returned to the lineup. As the season progressed, Philadelphia cut his minutes significantly.
In February, Morey traded McCain in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick and three second-round selections. The former 76ers executive said two days later that the team was "selling high" on McCain.
McCain has since carved out a key role for the defending champs during their playoff run. He scored a playoff career-high 24 points off the bench in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals to help give Oklahoma City a 2-1 series lead.
"I feel like I've played in big games, whether it's in high school or Duke - and definitely not the Western Conference finals - but being able to just take that confidence and be fearless. I love this so much," McCain said. "I love what my life is right now. Being able to play and contribute at this level, I never want to take it for granted. … I think that's why I just can go in there and just be fearless and trust myself."
