It would be in the best interest of Philadelphia 76ers fans to temper their expectations for Jared McCain this season.
After seeing his impressive rookie campaign get cut short due to an unfortunate meniscus tear which required surgery, McCain will be back next season to round out and bolster a deep 76ers backcourt led by All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey. During the previous campaign, McCain was the runaway favorite to win Rookie of the Year before his season-ending injury, and he has a chance to build on that and cement his footing in the league.
Of course, the incoming sophomore will be banked on heavily by the coaching staff in the upcoming campaign. The 76ers have every reason to likewise feel good about their reliance on McCain, especially given the splendid shot-making skills he flashed during the early juncture of his freshman year.
But having said that, fans should take it easy when it comes to prognosticating the outlook of his comeback season. This is, after all, someone who is returning from what is a pretty major injury early in his career.
Jared McCain could take a backseat for the 76ers next season
McCain’s injury rehab seems to be going well, as he is expected to be an active participant in training camp, which is only a few weeks away. That being said, the coaching staff will most likely ease him back into action, and that could mean fewer minutes to start the year for the eccentric guard.
In all likelihood, McCain could see his minutes dip to kick things off. Last season, he averaged 25.7 minutes per outing — a serving of court time that could prove to be too much for him as he gets back to playing shape and recalibrates to the speed of the game.
In turn, his counting stats could also decline. He averaged north of 15 points per contest last season on impressive shooting splits, but those are bound to dwindle given his long inaction from the NBA hardwood.
As the season goes on, McCain will undoubtedly get more minutes and potentially a larger role, but it would be prudent for the coaching staff to funnel his minutes to VJ Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes as he tries to get his mojo back.
This is, after all, a process. The Philadelphia 76ers should commit to doing the diligent thing to avoid the long-term repercussions of rushing Jared McCain back into action. And while the numbers may get ugly, that is the price to pay for the young star to flourish later.