How Jared McCain earned his key role within Mark Daigneault's system on the Thunder

Jared McCain has been a revelation for the Oklahoma City Thunder ever since he got traded. Coming from the Philadelphia 76ers, everyone knew McCain's potential as a knockdown shooter, but he has turned it up a notch for OKC.

In the Playoffs, McCain initially did not get minutes, but that has changed as the postseason progressed. In the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, he has turned into a starter with Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell's injuries.

Mark Daigneault celebrates Jared McCain's journey to become a starter

During his rookie season in the 2024-25 campaign, NBA fans started to get familiar with McCain. He was the leading Rookie of the Year candidate to start the season, but a long-term injury derailed his rookie year.

Apparently, it also hurt McCain's place in Philadelphia because VJ Edgecombe became the long-term partner for Tyrese Maxey. That left McCain in limbo, and the 76ers' front office believed "selling high" was the right move.

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Now, a lot of 76ers fans are left scratching their head because the player they traded is now one game away from the NBA Finals. It is a tough pill to swallow, but McCain himself is ecstatic to be on the Thunder.

"I think the first thing he did that was really impressive was that he came and wanted to really plug into the team. In a way that was very respectful of our collective team that has been together," Daigneault said about McCain working hard to integrate himself into the Thunder's system.

"He’s had a pretty variant role, and the whole time, he’s stayed totally inside the team... He just earned it as he went."

McCain's confidence has helped him become the sharpshooter the Thunder have always needed. After standout performances in Games 3 and 5, it goes to show that McCain is here, and he is here to stay.

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