Jared McCain’s standout playoff Game 3 for the Oklahoma City Thunder has reignited outrage toward Daryl Morey and the Philadelphia 76ers over the trade that sent McCain to OKC for a 2026 first-round pick and three second-round picks.
Philadelphia 76ers fans didn’t have to wait long to feel the sting again.
In Game 3 for the Oklahoma City Thunder against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday. Jared McCain delivered when it mattered most. posting a playoff-high 24 points on 10-of-21 shooting from the field and adding four rebounds. He also hit two of 10 from deep in the 123-108 win. an outing that put his old fan base right back into what-ifs.
It’s an emotional edge for a player who was traded from Philadelphia to Oklahoma City, and it’s the kind of production that quickly turns into a referendum on the front office decision that moved him. In the NBA world’s reaction, the name that keeps coming up is Daryl Morey.
Morey has since been relieved of his duties with Philadelphia. Still. the trade remains a live wound for fans and critics. especially because the package sent out with McCain is hard to ignore: a 2026 first-round pick and three second-round picks. For many in the NBA community. it’s not just that McCain helped the Thunder—it’s that the haul didn’t include anyone back for the 76ers.
Rachel Nichols captured that sentiment sharply on X, formerly Twitter, writing: “Every time anyone talks about Jared McCain, all I can hear in my head is Daryl Morey saying ‘quite confident we’re selling high.’ Just the most yikes of yikeses.”
Another former NFL quarterback, Robert Griffin III, went even further in his reaction, also on X, saying: “Never forget that Daryl Morey traded Jared McCain to OKC and got absolutely no one in return.”
McCain hasn’t just looked comfortable in Oklahoma City—he’s carved out a key role off the bench as the Thunder chase what would be a second straight championship. The trade itself was completed at the last deadline, with the Thunder acquiring McCain, the 16th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
As for Philadelphia, the final grade on the decision still depends on what happens with the picks the 76ers received. It remains to be seen who the team selects with the draft assets gathered in the McCain deal—because if those picks hit. the argument could shift. But right now, it’s McCain’s Game 3 performance—his 24-point burst and playoff-high showing—that is doing the talking.
For Thunder fans, this is evidence they made the move that kept their run rolling. For 76ers supporters, it’s another reminder of how quickly a player can land somewhere else and start making the trade feel unforgivable.
Jared McCain Daryl Morey Philadelphia 76ers Oklahoma City Thunder San Antonio Spurs Game 3 NBA playoffs 2026 first-round pick three second-round picks Rachel Nichols Robert Griffin III
So basically Morey traded him and got nothing… that’s wild.
I didn’t even know he was on the Spurs side of this lol. But if Philly didn’t get anyone back, yeah they’re gonna be mad forever.
Game 3 stats don’t mean the trade is automatically bad, like picks can still be good later. But RGIII acting like it’s impossible to “get someone” is kinda missing the point. Also I swear I read somewhere the 76ers still have like a first rounder coming from another deal? Idk. Feels like people just hate Morey.
Morey was definitely “selling high” and it backfired, that’s what they’re saying right? And now McCain’s cooking and Philly fans are like yep we got robbed. Can’t believe they let him go and just kept picks. Like who wants picks when you could’ve had him right now… wait unless the picks turn into superstars?? anyway it’s messy.