The Philadelphia 76ers have a Jared McCain problem. He was selected just outside the lottery in the 2024 NBA Draft, and he immediately vaulted into the running for Rookie of the Year. McCain finished seventh in the voting, despite playing just 23 games. He looked like a building block for the 76ers after year one, but the 21-year-old is struggling this season.
To make matters worse, the Sixers are shockingly playing Quentin Grimes over him. 76ers fans will remember that Grimes was a restricted free agent in the offseason, and the two sides couldn’t work out a long-term deal. He is playing on a one-year qualifying offer and will likely be on a new team next season. Fans have to be confused to see a player on his way out getting more minutes than their young building block.
McCain has struggled, and Philly is in contention. It would almost be understandable, but the Sixers can’t expect a young player to thrive when he doesn’t know when his minutes or opportunities are coming. This may be as much a Nick Nurse problem as it is one with McCain.
Jared McCain situation makes no sense for the 76ers
Grimes has primarily come off the bench, but is averaging 32.1 minutes per game. The Sixers only have so much playing time available in the backcourt. Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe rightfully lead the team in minutes per game. Beyond that, Nurse is forced to choose between Grimes and McCain, with some minutes at the three for each player.
The 21-year-old is not earning the playing time. He is averaging 7.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.0 steal in 19.5 minutes per game. McCain is shooting 35.9 percent from the field and 32.5 percent on his threes. It has resulted in a negative value over replacement player (VORP) and a well below league average win shares per 48 minutes.
Grimes has been better, but McCain has not played a consistent role after missing the first six regular-season games recovering from an injury. Over the last 11 contests, the second-year guard has played fewer than 18 minutes five times and more than 24 minutes twice. The Sixers have players going in and out of the lineup, but having a set role for McCain would help him.
Philadelphia should be looking at the bigger picture. Tyrese Maxey is blossoming into the team's superstar of the present and future. VJ Edgecombe is a star in the making, and the franchise's timeline should shift to building around the young guards. That would mean developing McCain and trying to maximize their potential to contend for a title over the next five years.
The 21-year-old guard must play better, but coach Nurse and the Sixers have to put him in positions to succeed. They should be exploring his fit next to Maxey and Edgecombe and finding ways to maximize his immense potential. Playing him 12 minutes and using Grimes over him are baffling decisions after the 76ers' free agency fiasco with the 25-year-old guard.
The Philadelphia 76ers must figure out Jared McCain’s role moving forward. Is he a building block, a trade chip, or a role player to fit around their star duo? Even the franchise doesn’t seem to know right now. It is a massive problem that must be answered immediately.