In news that is not actually news because of how fait accompli the decision was, the Philadelphia 76ers have exercised the third-year option on 2024 NBA first-round pick Jared McCain. Here is the official
release from Sixers Public Relations:
“Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey announced today that the team has exercised the third-year contract option on Jared McCain for the 2026-27 season.
Originally selected with the 16th overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft, McCain, 21, appeared in 23 games (eight starts) during his rookie season. He averaged 15.3 points, leading all rookies in points per game last season, 2.6 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 25.7 minutes, while shooting 38.3-percent from beyond the arc (fourth among rookies in 2024-25).
McCain made at least three three-pointers in eight consecutive games from Nov. 8-22, setting an NBA rookie record.
The Sacramento, CA native posted rookie career highs with 34 points and 10 assists on Nov. 13 against Cleveland, joining Allen Iverson as the only 76ers rookies to ever produce such numbers in a single game. The 34-point outburst came during a stretch in which he recorded 20-or-more points in seven consecutive games from Nov. 10-22, good for the fourth-longest streak by a 76ers rookie in franchise history (Joel Embiid, Hall of Famer Allen Iverson, Lee Shaffer, and Jerry Stackhouse). McCain’s eight 20-point gamest tied him for third and his two 30-point games tied for second amongst rookies last season, despite his season ending on Dec. 13, 2024.
The Duke product was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in October/November last season and was also selected for the 2025 Castrol Rising Stars.”
McCain’s salary will stand at $4.42 million next season. As for the present, with everything going so incredibly well to start the regular season for the 4-0 Sixers, people were actually asking the preposterous question, “What are they going to do when Paul George and Jared McCain get back?” As if a team that has started Jabari Walker and Justin Edwards in the past week (no offense to those guys who have been solid in their roles) couldn’t find time for a nine-time All-Star who is still probably their best wing defender and the guy who was on a Rookie of the Year trajectory pre-injury who can shoot the lights out. Regardless, we might be finding out soon.
Both McCain and George were practicing today, so while I wouldn’t expect them to take the court tomorrow against the Celtics, it does seem like their return will come in the foreseeable future. The vibes have been tremendous through four games for the Sixers, and adding back one of the only fun things about last year, that being the Jared McCain experience, should only keep the vibes train chugging full steam ahead.
