Daryl Morey admits Sixers traded Jared McCain in hopes of making additional deal, but 'nothing materialized'
Daryl Morey pulled back the curtain on the Philadelphia 76ers’ draft-night calculus, acknowledging that the decision to flip rookie guard Jared McCain was driven by a desire to set up a larger move that ultimately never came together.
In explaining the strategy, Morey framed the McCain trade as a flexibility play. Philadelphia saw value in turning the rookie’s rights into assets that could be more easily aggregated in a potential follow-up deal for veteran help or higher-end talent. It’s the kind of asset-management maneuver that has defined Morey’s tenure around the league: treat draft picks and young players as currency in pursuit of stars.
This time, though, the market didn’t cooperate. The Sixers positioned themselves for an additional trade, only to see talks stall or opportunities dry up. The admission underscores a reality of modern roster building: even well-laid plans can hinge on other teams’ willingness to engage, the timing of free agency decisions, and shifting priorities across the league.
For Philadelphia, the outcome is a mixed bag. On one hand, moving off a promising rookie without landing the intended follow-up piece invites scrutiny, especially from fans who value the upside and cost control that first-rounders provide. McCain’s shooting and composure projected as a clean fit next to star talent, and his development will now be monitored from afar.
On the other hand, Morey’s approach aligns with the Sixers’ competitive timeline. With an MVP-level centerpiece and win-now expectations, the front office is clearly prioritizing optionality and the ability to pounce when a disgruntled star or distressed asset becomes available. Around the league, that aggression is often praised when it works and second-guessed when it doesn’t.
The bigger takeaway is philosophical: Philadelphia remains committed to treating the draft as part of a broader transactional ecosystem rather than a standalone talent pipeline. Morey’s candor about the failed follow-up deal highlights both the ambition and the inherent risk of that approach, setting the stage for heightened pressure on the next opportunity the Sixers try to convert.
In explaining the strategy, Morey framed the McCain trade as a flexibility play. Philadelphia saw value in turning the rookie’s rights into assets that could be more easily aggregated in a potential follow-up deal for veteran help or higher-end talent. It’s the kind of asset-management maneuver that has defined Morey’s tenure around the league: treat draft picks and young players as currency in pursuit of stars.
This time, though, the market didn’t cooperate. The Sixers positioned themselves for an additional trade, only to see talks stall or opportunities dry up. The admission underscores a reality of modern roster building: even well-laid plans can hinge on other teams’ willingness to engage, the timing of free agency decisions, and shifting priorities across the league.
For Philadelphia, the outcome is a mixed bag. On one hand, moving off a promising rookie without landing the intended follow-up piece invites scrutiny, especially from fans who value the upside and cost control that first-rounders provide. McCain’s shooting and composure projected as a clean fit next to star talent, and his development will now be monitored from afar.
On the other hand, Morey’s approach aligns with the Sixers’ competitive timeline. With an MVP-level centerpiece and win-now expectations, the front office is clearly prioritizing optionality and the ability to pounce when a disgruntled star or distressed asset becomes available. Around the league, that aggression is often praised when it works and second-guessed when it doesn’t.
The bigger takeaway is philosophical: Philadelphia remains committed to treating the draft as part of a broader transactional ecosystem rather than a standalone talent pipeline. Morey’s candor about the failed follow-up deal highlights both the ambition and the inherent risk of that approach, setting the stage for heightened pressure on the next opportunity the Sixers try to convert.
