OKC THUNDER
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jared McCain have offseason workout together
Clemente AlmanzaOKC Thunder Wire
July 23, 2026, 9:32 p.m. CT
As we near August, we’re about to flip the driest part of the NBA’s year-round calendar. All of the offseason moves are done. Everybody’s focus has shifted toward the 2026-27 season. For now, though, teams across the league get to relax for a bit before training camp begins
For NBA players, though, right now is when most of your critical developmental work takes place. The ample time off allows guys across the league to put in serious work and upgrade their bag. Especially for young players still learning the ropes of the NBA
Jared McCain is somebody who’s taking advantage of his refter being an NBA trade deadline acquisition, this is the first time he’s had a chance to take a breath and fully embrace being on the Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder added McCain in a buy-low move from the Philadelphia 76ers. The 22-year-old suddenly became important at work. In just three months, he was jettisoned to the top of the depth chart. Injuries to Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell forced him to learn on the job in the game’s highest stakes imaginable
All things considered, McCain did solid. He had two 20-point games that helped the Thunder push the San Antonio Spurs to seven in the 2026 Western Conference Finals. Ultimately, the short-handed squad fell in Game 7. But his microwave scoring was one of the brighter takeaways
So much so that the Thunder felt confident in moving on from Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins. Partially because of their trust in McCain. They believe his best basketball is ahead of him and intend to give him every chance to replace their role as the bench scorer. Working out with Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the perks of joining OKC after a season-and-a-half of a rocky tenure on the Sixers
A lot of change has happened to the Thunder this offseason. The back end of their rotation will be filled with new faces. And McCain is expected to play a huge role in OKC keeping open its championship window for the next couple of years
