WCF Game 5 proves ex-76ers’ Daryl Morey did not sell high on Jared McCain

The Philadelphia 76ers’ decision to trade Jared McCain during the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline was widely criticized by fans as soon as it was announced. McCain was one of the standout rookies last season for the team, but a meniscus tear early in the year ended his campaign early. With the arrival of VJ Edgecombe on the team, then-general manager Daryl Morey believed that it was better for the team to trade McCain.

At the time, Morey justified the trade by saying that he “sold high” on McCain. The implication, of course, was that McCain’s game would fall off and that he would be worth less after being traded.

“I am quite confident we were selling high,” Morey infamously said. “Obviously, time will tell.”

If the guard’s game was supposed to start dropping, it certainly hasn’t started happening.

Wonder if Daryl Morey still feels like he got good value when he traded Jared McCain pic.twitter.com/fyG6hrbthc

— DraftKings (@DraftKings) May 27, 2026

Now with the Oklahoma City Thunder, McCain remains an important part of his team’s push for a championship. The former 76ers star made his first career start in the postseason this game, and he did not disappoint. He finished the game with 20 points and three rebounds. He was a crucial part of an early third-quarter run that kept the Spurs firmly at bay.

Thunder coach Mark Daigenault explained his reasoning for putting McCain in the starting lineup. It certainly feels like the 76ers could have used a player like McCain in the postseason.

“We just thought he could give us some good stuff with that unit. Just based on where we are right now with a couple of guys out. And he did,” Daigneault said. “He was really good. His pop early was excellent, and he kept himself in the game. He had that flurry in the third.

The 76ers fared reasonably well in the playoffs this year, pulling off a 3-1 comeback against the Boston Celtics in the first round. However, they were swept by the New York Knicks in the playoffs. While they might not have ultimately won the series, it’s fair to wonder how this team would have fared with McCain.

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