Jared McCain Praised By Thunder Teammates

Sam Presti always has plenty of fascinating insights for Oklahoma City Thunder fans to chew on after his annual preseason press conferences. But one particular quote from his recent media availability was especially enlightening when it comes to one of OKC's newest players.

"We're always really careful about making additions in season," Presti said of the Thunder's February move for Jared McCain. "And there is a very small collection of people, I mean really small, that I would have done that with at the trade deadline. He was one of them."

Thunder fans understand where Presti is coming from with McCain. The former 76er became an instant fan favorite player due to both his sharpshooting on the court and his infectious personality off the court.

McCain's newest teammates had plenty of praise for the combo guard during Thunder Media Day. Including the back to back MVP.

"Honestly speaking, the rarity with JMac is like nothing will change for him," Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said of McCain. "The player and individual he is, like he just oozes confidence. Whether he's playing five minutes a game, 35 minutes a game, you know what you're going to get from him.. I think he'll go out there, put the ball in the basket at a high level, do it in spots where we need him. He'll be a plus defender. He'll do whatever the team needs to win. He'll be a star in his role."

Another OKC All-Star is excited about sharing the court with McCain this season. Jalen Williams missed most of the games after the deadline deal.

"Yeah, we haven't had a lot of minutes logged in," Williams said. "He's just a really good player. Obviously you saw what he's done in the playoffs, which was dope. To be able to come into a new situation and play with as much confidence as he did, it gives you a lot to look forward to, and I definitely commend him for that. But yeah, I'm excited. Anytime you can shoot the ball and get your own shot off, it's always good. I'm a very willing passer, so I think we'll have a lot of good chemistry going throughout the year."

And if anyone knows what it's like to be a fan favorite player with a big personality and a bigger smile, it's Jaylin Williams. He expressed what is likely the key to Presti putting McCain on the shortlist of players he'd add during the season.

"I think our front office, Sam, whoever makes the decisions to bring in these guys, bring in all of us, I think they do a great job of bringing in good people," Williams said. "Jared is just another great guy. And our team is full of good guys. Our facility, our organization, is full of good people. They make it super easy."