As his playing time continues to wane, culminating in a DNP-CD on Jan. 17 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Sixers assigned Jared McCain to their G-League affiliate Delaware Blue Coats for a chance
at extended run. It’s the second time they’ve sent him down this season, the first being a two-game stint in mid-November.
Despite a less successful outing in his last appearance, the Sixers recalled him for their matchup against the Indiana Pacers rather than leaving him available for the Coats matchup against the Noblesville Bloom the same day.
Ahead of that Pacers matchup, head coach Nick Nurse explained the team’s plan for McCain and what they’re hoping to accomplish with these G-League stints. While they’d like to get him as much run as possible, having him as an option off the bench seems to be the priority.
“No, not with this schedule,” Nurse said when asked if a longer G-League stint was considered.
Nurse made it clear that they want McCain available for both legs of this back-to-back against the Pacers and Phoenix Suns.
“We got a double header here, we got to make sure our guys are available in case we need them,” Nurse said. “We’ll reconsider what we’re gonna do with him probably, Wednesday or Thursday.”
It’s hard to believe that one game, a rough one at that, will be what gets McCain back on track. His first trip down, one where he shot much better, didn’t even result in regular playing time right away.
When asked what he’s looking to see from McCain in these trips, Nurse reiterated the same thing — reps.
“[We’re] just trying to get him some extended run,” Nurse said. “I don’t think he’s had much of a runway to play consistently and that’s what we’re just trying to [do], make sure he gets out there, gets some minutes.”
The Sixers, being better than most expected coming into the season, are in a tricky spot with McCain. They’re suddenly too good to give him an extended runway to work through his issues, but they aren’t trying many other avenues to get him going. However unlikely it might be, it seems the Sixers are hoping that this issue can be fixed on the fly.
In his sophomore season, McCain is averaging just 6.2 points and 1.2 assists per game shooting 35.4% from the field and 32.3% from three.
