While the The Philadelphia 76ers Entering the 2024 NBA Draft considered a team most likely to be traded in the first round, the team’s front office decided to hold on to the pick and make a call-up to Duke freshman Jared McCain.
Philadelphia president of basketball operations Daryl Morey admitted there was an attractive offer on the table for the 16th overall pick, but McCain’s presence on the board was too important to pass on without taking him.
The standout point guard finds himself in a tough spot as the Sixers are on a championship-or-bust trajectory. The last time the Sixers selected a freshman in the first round out of college, he played in two games during his rookie season.
On the other hand, the first overall pick in the draft before Jaden Springer was Tyrese Maxey. And while Maxey’s rookie season didn’t guarantee he’d become a future All-Star worthy of a max contract, it paved the way for a freshman guard like McCain.
The former Duke standout sees a major benefit in teaming with Maxey, but is also looking forward to joining forces with veteran Kyle Lowry.
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“Kyle Lowry has been in the league almost as long as I have” McCain said Forbes. “To understand the ins and outs of the game, how to stay in this league, how to find opportunities on the field, just going out there with an open mind and doing whatever I can to help the team win.”
After leaving Duke, McCain started all 36 games in his freshman season. He averaged 14 points per game, along with five rebounds and two assists. From the field, he averaged 46 percent. From distance, he shot 41 percent.
McCain called his situation coming into the Sixers “the best.” He has the chance to team up with a fourth-year All-Star, as well as a six-time All-Star who won an NBA championship in 2019.
The likelihood of McCain getting enough playing time to make a major impact on the Sixers in Year 1 is slim at this point, but he’ll surely learn plenty of valuable lessons teaming up with two notable guards with impressive accomplishments.
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