Latest news with #JaredMcCain
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Current 2025-26 Philadelphia 76ers depth chart after offseason moves
The Philadelphia 76ers are looking to move on from a miserable 2024-25 season in which they finished 24-58 in a year where contending for a title was the expectation. Instead, injuries decimated the roster and affected the team's star trio the most. Joel Embiid was limited to only 19 games. Paul George played 41. Tyrese Maxey played "only" 52. It wasn't just the stars either as Jared McCain was limited to 23 games in his rookie season and other important pieces missed time as well. It was an overall just tough year for the Sixers. As the attention now turns to 2025-26, the Sixers made moves around the margins in an effort to improve the supporting cast. Assuming they re-sign restricted free agent Quentin Grimes--which is the expectation--here is how the depth chart looks for Philadelphia at the moment: Point guard Starter: Tyrese Maxey Depth: Kyle Lowry, Hunter Sallis (two-way deal) Maxey is coming off a season where his shooting percentages (43.7% overall and 33.7% from deep) are down from his career norms. Likely due to the fact that defenses loaded up on him to slow down Philadelphia's offensive attack. Assuming the Sixers will have a clean bill of health in 2025-26, Maxey should get back to his All-Star level for Philadelphia. As far as the depth is concerned, Lowry is back after he played only 35 games in the 2024-25 season. One could assume that this season, his 20th in a Hall of Fame career, could be the final one for him and he could take on more of a mentor role. The rookie Sallis is likely to spend time in the G League playing for the Delaware Blue Coats. McCain can play some minutes here as well. Shooting guard Starter: Jared McCain Depth: VJ Edgecombe, Eric Gordon, Sallis McCain was on his way to being in the Rookie of the Year race as he averaged 15.3 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 38.3% from deep before having to undergo surgery in December to repair a laterally torn meniscus in his left knee. As he prepares for his second season, one can assume he will be the starter due to his shooting ability. Edgecombe, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, is somebody who could eventually take over the starting role, has to improve as a 3-point shooter. It was a tough go at it in the summer league, but he showed off his elite NBA-level athleticism and was able to produce at a high level on the offensive end. Gordon is back to fire up his usual assortment of 3-pointers. Small forward Starter: Quentin Grimes (assuming he returns) Depth: Kelly Oubre Jr., Justin Edwards Grimes, who remains unsigned, played well for the Sixers after the trade acquisition from the Dallas Mavericks. He averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 46.9% overall and 37.3% from deep in 28 games. He is currently a restricted free agent and is widely believed to return to Philadelphia. His shooting ability will be important for the Sixers on the offensive end. Oubre is set to return and give the Sixers a jack of all trades. He can score in isolation, can move off the ball, and make an impact on the defensive end as well as on the glass. He is going to be a key piece, and also could be a tradeable asset. Edwards is entering his second season and will give Philadelphia a 3-and-D option for the bench unit. Power forward Starter: Paul George Depth: Trendon Watford, Jabari Walker (two-way deal) All eyes will be on George entering the 2025-26 season. Coming off a disappointing first season in Philadelphia in which his offensive numbers were down across the board, the 9-time All-Star was battling injuries while adjusting to a new system and situation. He then had offseason surgery on his left knee so it will be interesting to see how he looks when the new season begins. Watford and Walker are two players who are expected to give Philadelphia some good production off the bench. Watford is somebody who can give the Sixers a ton of versatility as somebody who can make plays with his passing and an overall versatile player from the big man spot. Walker, a 3-year big man, is on a steal of a two-way deal in Philadelphia. He should be on a standard deal very soon. Center Starter: Joel Embiid Depth: Andre Drummond, Adem Bona, Johni Broome, Dominick Barlow (two-way deal) Everything begins and ends with Embiid. The health and status of the big fella is going to decide how far Philadelphia goes and that was obvious when he played only 19 games in 2024-25 and the Sixers struggled. He averaged 23.8 points in those 19 games, but shot only 44.4% from the floor, 29.9% from deep, and averaged only 7.8 free throw attempts. Those are not Embiid-like numbers. He has to be 100% healthy for Philadelphia to have a chance at contention. As for the depth, Drummond was limited to only 40 games due to a bothersome left toe injury and his numbers were down a bit. A healthy Drummond can make a difference for Philadelphia. However, the Sixers should probably do their best to give time to Bona, Broome, and Barlow as Philadelphia begins looking ahead to the future.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Sixers guard Jared McCain in the gym continuing way back from surgery
Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain was on his way to being a prime Rookie of the Year candidate in the 2024-25 season. He was averaging 15.3 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 38.3% from deep before his season was cut short after just 23 games. McCain then underwent surgery in December to repair a laterally torn meniscus in his left knee that caused him to miss the rest of the season. The Sixers missed his ability to score in a variety of ways, provide long range shooting, and ball-handling to a roster in need of it. As McCain now prepares for his second season in the league, he is in the gym working his way back from the surgery as he looks to get back to hisself. McCain will join a crowded backcourt led by himself, Tyrese Maxey, rookie VJ Edgecombe, and--likely--Quentin Grimes. There will be a healthy competition for minutes, but McCain figures to be in coach Nick Nurse's rotation as Philadelphia looks to take steps forward towards contention after a brief detour in the woods.
USA Today
15-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Multiple Sixers highlight Jared McCain's vocal leadership in summer
LAS VEGAS -- Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain is continuing to recover from December surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee, but he is still remaining active with his team as he prepares for his second season. As the Sixers continue with the summer league in Las Vegas, McCain has been an active member of the team. Despite not being able to play, the second-year guard from Duke has been hanging around the team and has been a presence in practice as he looks to help the youngsters grow. On Monday, summer league coach TJ DiLeo highlighted how active and vocal he has been in practice to help the youngsters continue to grow. "He spoke up in a film session today," DiLeo said. "We came over here (in the team's film area) and he's sitting here. I was like, 'Hey, more that. Whenever you want to do that. Like you're part of this.' Like, it's something. It's great. All these messages coming from me, the coaching staff, but when a guy like him as someone who's been through it a year of it in the NBA, these guys look at him and when he can say something, and make a point? Like, they take that." McCain was on his way to being a prime Rookie of the Year candidate when he did play in the 2024-25 season as he averaged 15.3 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 23 games. He is somebody the younger Sixers can look to in this instance and try to emulate as they begin their careers. "It's huge," said undrafted rookie guard Hunter Sallis. "He was just in my position last year. So being able to learn from someone who has so much success, you know, his rookie year, is huge. So it's definitely great having him around." McCain is expected to make a full recovery and be ready when the season starts in October. The Sixers will be looking for him to be a big part of the team's backcourt rotation and give Philadelphia some good minutes at the guard spot just as he did as a rookie before he underwent his surgery.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Is it time for Philly to turn the page?
Is it time for Philly to turn the page? Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst Kevin O'Connor, senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill and college hoops analyst King McClure discuss the 76ers' selection of VJ Edgecombe in the 2025 NBA draft and if the team's young pieces are enough to solidify a rotation without Joel Embiid or Paul George. Hear the full conversation on 'The Kevin O'Connor Show' and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen. View more Video Transcript Remove Joel and B from the equation. Advertisement Let's just say MB is never healthy again, and like it's worst case scenario for the Sixers when it comes to their contention hopes. Let's say Paul George continues to be a better podcaster than basketball player. And like it's just not there anymore. VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxy, Jared McCain is your young. A lot of shooters fast. Isn't that kind of promising, those three? I like that. Tyrese Maxy is great, Dallas kid. You know, I love that. Jerry McCain Dallas. Yeah, Tyrese Maxi from Dallas. He, he don't got the shag. Listen, you in this jack is crazy. But Jerry McCain can play really, really smart guard, can play well in a pick and roll, good pace. Advertisement And then you add VJ Edgecombe, electrifying defender can be a two-way player. I like the backcourt. I think it's very promising. Don't forget about my man is Jared Butler if he doesn't get traded, which I don't know, he might, but he can play too. Did they do something different this time? Did the Philadelphia 76ers, by not taking Ace Bailey, did they, did that signal a philosophical change? Because if any team is going to pick a player who says, no, I'm not playing for you, it's the 76ers. Are they learning something? Or is this just a temporary stay of execution given the fact that they got Paul George? Advertisement I, I think it shows two different things. I think it shows they're prioritizing both the short term and the long term, and then they're not going to take a risk on a guy that doesn't help you maximize your chances today. I think they got it, they have no choice but to gamble that Joel LeB stays healthy and that Paul George has a bounce back year. They have to hope for the promising upside of what could be. Like they, they banked on Paul George being their free agent acquisition. It worked out and then it didn't work out during the season, but maybe this year will be different. Like it's just possible. Advertisement And so I think VJ Edgecombe helps as a role player in the short term, where all those concerns you're talking about long term don't matter, but in the long term, maybe he ends up figuring it out as a shot creator and he plays more like that long term. So I like to pick for For Maury and the Sixers there at 3 because it checks both those short-term and long-term boxes. Um, will it get them over the top? That depends on and beat and Paul George and you're shaking your head like it's just not gonna and like that's totally fair. But maybe 1 year, maybe 1 year stars aligned, is that what you're saying? You believe in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny too, Kevin? I get some young listeners. Of course I do.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jared McCain's honest reaction to Thunder-Pacers NBA Finals
The post Jared McCain's honest reaction to Thunder-Pacers NBA Finals appeared first on ClutchPoints. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — The 2025 NBA Finals have returned to Oklahoma City where the Thunder will host Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers. NBA Finals Correspondent Jared McCain of the Philadelphia 76ers has followed both teams closely through the year and can't wait to see what Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton have in store for their teams. Advertisement With the series tied at 2-2, the winner of Monday night's game will be just one win away from the franchise's first NBA Championship. 76ers' Jared McCain reacts to Thunder-Pacers NBA Finals During the NBA Finals, the league calls up a few of the younger players to act as media correspondents for the championship round. The players attend a practice media availability as well as a Finals game, where they'll take turns asking players from Finals teams questions they're interested in knowing the answers to. Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals started with Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jared McCain, who had a spectacular start to his rookie campaign before suffering a season-ending injury. Advertisement McCain, who has been closely following the NBA postseason, spoke with ClutchPoints during the NBA Finals and gave his thoughts on each of the teams he's covering as a Correspondent. 'I'm so excited I've never I've never even been to a playoff game before in my life so this would be very exciting to see the epitome of basketball,' McCain told ClutchPoints. 'The NBA invited me to this and it's been a cool experience getting to know everything behind the scenes of being a media person at this event but it was cool to see it all come together.' The Oklahoma City Thunder are two wins away from an NBA Championship while boasting the league's 2024-25 regular season MVP after a historic 68-win season. 'Yeah, they're pretty insane,' McCain said of the Oklahoma City Thunder. 'Obviously they've got the MVP in [Shai Gilgeous-Alexande]. I think it'd be really cool to see an MVP win the NBA Finals. I think it's only like three other players that did it. Like it was Shaq and someone else. But yeah OKC, they're a tough team they got elite depth. Both teams got good depth so we'll see what happens.' Advertisement Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers have stunned nearly the entire world by making a run to the 2025 NBA Finals. They are also just two wins away from the franchise's first NBA Championship after winning Games 1 and 3 of this series. 'Indiana has the fast pace,' McCain added. 'I just saw today it was like organized chaos. Haliburton's leadership, he's very elite at it and we'll see what happens of course, but I think it'll be a good one… I never truly count out Halliburton.' There were clips on social media of Jared McCain reacting to Tyrese Haliburton's game-tying shot against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals as well as his reaction to Haliburton's game-winner against the Thunder in Game 1. Jared McCain is much like NBA fans than people realize, spending a lot of his time watching and reacting to games just like everybody else. Advertisement 'Of course, of course! Even during the season, you watch games, you're still watching it just like everybody else. You're on screen, watching it on TV, watching it on your phone. Everybody, even players on the team, like you're always watching it sometimes together on the plane. It's cool to just still be a fan and also be a part of the league.' Jared McCain had a strong rookie campaign for the 76ers, averaging 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting 46 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from three. The 76ers rookie suffered a torn meniscus and the team officially ruled him out for the season on January 9th. The 2025 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers will continue on Monday night for Game 5. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30PM EST on ABC, with the winner taking a 3-2 series lead and just one win away from a championship. Related: Jared McCain responds to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being called 'free throw merchant' Related: 76ers rumors: Daryl Morey's trade talks bring mystery around NBA
