Oklahoma City Thunder rookie guard Jared McCain said he is not motivated by a desire to prove former 76ers GM Daryl Morey wrong.
McCain's comments come after a career-night performance in Game 3 of the Thunder's series against the San Antonio Spurs in April 2024. The rookie's perspective is significant because players traded early in their careers often use the move as fuel for a rivalry with the executives who moved them.
Speaking during a press interview at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Oklahoma City, McCain said he is grateful toward the person who first gave him an opportunity in the league. He said he prefers to focus on his own growth rather than on the perceived failures of others.
"It's never to prove anybody wrong," McCain said. "I try to keep a positive outlook. I like proving my support system right."
McCain was selected No. 2 [1] overall in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers before his mid-season trade to Oklahoma City. Despite the change in teams, he said he maintains a positive relationship with the former general manager.
"Daryl's still the guy that drafted me, so I'll always have love for him for that," McCain said.
He further clarified his feelings regarding the draft process and the belief Morey had in his potential as a player. "I have love for Daryl Morey because he believed in me enough to take me at No. 2 [1] in the draft," McCain said.
While some reports suggest the trade has sparked controversy and may be viewed as a negative mark on Morey's tenure, McCain said he rejects the idea that he is playing with a chip on his shoulder. He continues to frame his success in Oklahoma City as a validation of his support system rather than a critique of the 76ers' front office.
“"It's never to prove anybody wrong. I try to keep a positive outlook."”
McCain's public support for Daryl Morey deviates from the typical narrative of 'revenge' often seen in NBA trades. By framing his success as a win for his support system rather than a loss for the 76ers, he is attempting to maintain professional bridges in a league where front-office relationships can impact a player's long-term mobility and reputation.
