Will Jared McCain End Up Being More Important Than Expected?

Every team needs a player who can come off the bench and change the game in a hurry. Someone who can knock down a couple of shots, give the offense a jolt and make the opposing defense think twice about leaving him open. For the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jared McCain has the potential to fill that role.

As the Thunder prepare for another season of contending, McCain is one of the players worth watching a little more. Oklahoma City has plenty of talent at the top of its roster, but having another player who can create offense and catch fire from the perimeter could become important against a team with Denver’s experience.

The Thunder looked like themselves in their season opener against the San Antonio Spurs. The defensive pressure was there, the energy was there, and the new faces appeared comfortable stepping into the team’s established identity. But every game brings a different challenge.

That’s where having someone like McCain can help.

One of the best things about a shooter who can get hot quickly is that he doesn’t need to dominate the ball to make an impact. McCain can find opportunities within the offense, knock down open shots and punish defenses that pay too much attention to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder’s other primary options.

That could be especially valuable against the better teams in the league. Teams Nuggets, Wolves, Sixers, etc. have the personnel and experience to make life difficult for Oklahoma City’s leading scorers. When defenses start loading up on Gilgeous-Alexander or taking away the first option, somebody else has to step up. McCain has the shooting ability to make teams pay when they leave him with space.

The Thunder don’t need him to score 20 points every night. They need him to recognize his opportunities and take advantage of them. Some nights, that might mean hitting a few three-pointers. On others, it could mean making the right pass, attacking a closeout or simply keeping the offense moving when things get stagnant.

Of course, scoring is only part of the equation. Oklahoma City has built its identity around defense, and McCain has to hold up on that end if he wants to earn a consistent role. The Thunder have enough depth that minutes aren’t simply handed out. Players have to show they can be trusted, especially when the games become more competitive.

That doesn’t mean McCain has to be a lockdown defender overnight. It means he has to compete, communicate and understand where he needs to be. If he can do that while bringing his shooting ability to the floor, he gives Mark Daigneault another option to work with.

The value of a player like McCain often becomes clearer over the course of a long season. There will be nights when the starters carry the load and others when the bench has to help keep the team afloat. Having a player who can provide an offensive spark without needing the entire game plan built around him is a luxury.

For McCain, the opportunity is to show that he can be more than an occasional scoring boost. He has a chance to become someone the Thunder can count on when they need a bucket or a change of momentum.

It’s still early in the season, and his role will continue to develop. But against a team like Denver, every contribution matters.

The Thunder already know what their stars can do. Finding out how much players like McCain can contribute could be just as important as the season moves forward.