76ers Player Preview: Jared McCain hopes to prove worth in rookie season

Play time is coming for the Philadelphia 76ers with the preseason set to begin in a few. After a long idle phase, fans will finally have the opportunity to take a first glance at the revamped squad, one that is widely expected to be among the strongest contenders for the championship next season.

While the 76ers are largely veteran-powered, save for Tyrese Maxey, the team is also home to some youngins eager to prove themselves in the biggest stage. One of which is rookie Jared McCain, a highly regarded prospect who landed in Philly as the 16th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Jared McCain hopes to make immediate impact for the 76ers

At this juncture, the 76ers don’t have a resolute role yet for McCain, especially given the logjam the team has in the backcourt. However, the possibility of him usurping the likes of Reggie Jackson and Kyle Lowry cannot be discarded.

A legitimate three-level scorer with the uncanny ability to go and make his own shot. McCain has a shot to crack the rotation if he can stay consistent, which is probably the ideal scenario envisioned by the 76ers.

McCain has been a tad inconsistent during the Summer League, but he remains a promising prospect for the 76ers’ immediate future. The 76ers are clearly grooming him to succeed their two veterans, and he may just get his chance this season, especially given the injury history of his older counterparts.

The 76ers deciding to draft McCain, instead of trading him on draft night as widely expected, speaks volumes to how much stock they have on the youngster. While his skill set is a bit dangling right now, as long as he can develop as a playmaker, there’s a solid shot that he’ll find himself being Maxey’s designated running mate in the backcourt.

Jared McCain is unlikley to crack an All-Rookie Team due to his expected limited court time, but if he manages to carve a consistent role, then the Philadelphia 76ers will gladly take it. After all, he’s one of the few building blocks the franchise has to stay relevant in the future.