76ers rookie Jared McCain could be in for a rude awakening this season

The Philadelphia 76ers are slated to return to the hardwood soon enough as training camp will kick off in just a few days. After a long while, fans will now be able to have their first look on the relatively new-look squad, one that is widely expected to truly contend for the championship in the upcoming 2024-25 campaign.

But aside from the team’s overall outlook as a contender, it’s also intriguing to see how the 76ers’ new faces will fare. One player many are looking forward to seeing on the court is rookie Jared McCain, Philly’s 16th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

76ers rookie Jared McCain could face a harsh reality next season

Rookies drafted at his position tend to have steeper learning curves as they calibrate to the speed of the game and the overall depth of talent in the NBA. But aside from that, there are levels as to why McCain could find it difficult to thrive in his rookie season.

First, his footing one the pecking order is too uncertain to even toss him up as a surefire contributor. The 76ers have loads of backcourt players who are all in actual contention to be rotation staples. Unfortunately, the team does not seem too confident handing him a meaningful role right off tha bat. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have gone after Eric Gordon and Reggie Jackson — sage veterans who still meet the team’s win-now demands.

Unless Kyle Lowry routinely misses games and both Gordon and Jackson fluctuate drastically even in more menial servings of court time, McCain would be hard-pressed seeking out minutes, especially accounting for Nick Nurse’s well-known proclivity for proven commodities.

Controlling as well is McCain’s growth rate. At this juncture, he’s more of a attack-oriented guard who, despite an undeniable knack for three-level scoring, lacks sufficient playmaking skill and chops to immediately usurp his veteran counterparts.

To start the season off, he will most likely find himself in Nick Nurse’s doghouse. However, he definitely has the tools to develop and make himself too good not to warrant a consistent role for the Philadelphia 76ers.

It’s just not going to be a bed of roses in Year 1.