Why Joel Embiid, 76ers Players 'Were Not Happy with' Jared McCain Trade Revealed in New NBA Rumors

Joel Embiid was among multiple Philadelphia 76ers players that were reportedly displeased with the team's choice to trade backup guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2025-26 season.

According to Tony Jones of The Athletic, Embiid and some of his teammates "were not happy with the decision" to deal McCain to the Thunder.

Embiid had implored the front office to do something other than what he termed "ducking the (luxury) tax" prior to the McCain trade, per Jones.

On Feb. 4, Philadelphia sent McCain to Oklahoma City in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick and three second-round selections.

The swap allowed the 76ers to get below the luxury tax and convert the two-way contract of forward Dominick Barlow to a standard deal (h/t NBC Sports' Kurt Helin).

Philadelphia initially selected McCain with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, as he averaged 15.3 points in 25.7 minutes per game as a rookie before his inaugural season came to an end after just 23 appearances due to a torn meniscus.

His 2025-26 debut was delayed because of a UCL tear in his right thumb and he struggled to carve out a consistent role when healthy, recording a mere 6.6 points and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 38.5 percent from the field with the 76ers.

McCain excelled following the change of scenery, averaging 10.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game on 46.2/39.1/85.3 shooting splits as a member of the Thunder.

During Oklahoma City's current playoff run, he's scoring 6.4 points in just 9.1 minutes on a nightly basis while connecting on 62.5 percent of his attempts from three-point territory.

Meanwhile, the 76ers were swept by the New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs after their bench struggled to produce.

Philadelphia's reserves averaged just 20.4 points per game in the postseason, ranking No. 13 among the 16 teams that made the playoffs.

Now, McCain is looking to help Oklahoma City capture its second consecutive championship.