Former Sixer Jared McCain has opened up about his shock trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier in the season and the journey he’s been on since.
McCain was a fan favorite for the 76ers and beside a couple of unfortunate injuries, he was solid.
But, Rookie VJ Edgecombe stole the spotlight in Philly and McCain’s numbers did regress.
Before he knew it, he was traded to Oklahoma City on February 3rd, as he recalled the exact moment.
“I was on the bus with the Sixers and we were heading to the airport in San Francisco. We just played Golden State,” McCain told Andscape. “I texted my agent for a gym in L.A. and he called me, and I think he’s calling me about the gym. He is like, ‘They’re about to trade you.’ Then [then-Sixers president Daryl Morey] called me five minutes later and told me I was traded. It was pretty wild, and I started crying immediately.
“Those are my brothers and still are my brothers to this day. It was definitely tough. They thought I was joking when I told them, and then I started crying. Then they were like, ‘Oh, this is serious.’ Then we got off the bus and they all came up to me and I still went on the plane with them to L.A. I still miss Philly to this day. I never was able to see my house again because we were on the road. It’s little things like that. I miss my routine, but I’m definitely blessed to be here.”
There are definitely worse things than being traded to the defending champs, who are now in the Western Conference Finals once more, and that’s not lost on McCain.
“It means the world. The year I’ve had, I can’t even believe I’m here to be honest,” McCain said. “When I pray every day, it’s crazy. To be three wins away, I just want to take one game at a time, be present and do whatever I can to help this team win.”