As the NBA preseason ends at the end of this week, the 2024-25 NBA regular season starts on Tuesday night. The Philadelphia 76ers had an active offseason, and now they are going to see their new roster in action against the Milwaukee Bucks next Wednesday night. As a result of their roster upgrades, they have one of the deepest and most athletic rosters in the association.
One player who has a chance to increase his minutes on this loaded roster is Jared McCain. The Sixers’ first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft has been really impressive throughout the preseason. The Duke product possesses an ideal skill set to be an elite role player. McCain has done so well in his minutes on the floor during the preseason that he may actually be in the rotation against the Bucks next week. Cracking the rotation as a rookie could allow McCain to emerge as a significant X-factor for the Sixers.
Philadelphia 76ers X-Factor: Jared McCain
Become a Three-Point Sniper
When the Sixers drafted McCain in June, many fans, media members, and experts were shocked because everyone thought Philly would trade the pick. However, that did not happen, and it may end up being an extremely fortunate thing for the Sixers. Throughout the preseason, McCain has shown that he is ready to compete for minutes on the roster right now.
Also, McCain has shown that he has an extensive offensive bag so far in the preseason. Notably, his greatest strength is his ability to hit three-pointers. McCain shot 41 percent on three-pointers in college and was considered one of the best shooters in the draft. This skill set is highly valued in Philly, especially playing next to Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George, who create a lot of high-percentage shooting opportunities for their teammates. McCain will need to be able to hit those wide-open shots if given the opportunity.
He scored 20 points against the Celtics over the weekend, and his ability to exploit defensive weaknesses has been impressive so far. Continuing to develop and consistently knocking down three-pointers will give him a real shot to stay in the rotation in Philly. As a result, that should make him one of the most valuable role players on the Sixers roster.
Continue to Develop As a Playmaker
During the last few years, one of the biggest weaknesses of previous 76ers rosters has been the absence of ball handlers and playmakers. However, the current Sixers roster has plenty of playmakers who can handle the ball. McCain continuing to develop as a playmaker will help him stay in Philly’s rotation. To survive in the loaded Eastern Conference, the 76ers need a lot of playmakers.
At Duke, McCain was a gritty player who was willing to make plays to help his team win and could score points. He averaged 1.9 assists per game during his one year at Duke. Improving as a passer and playmaker will help him emerge as an X-factor and key role player this season.
Become a Reliable Defender
Defense is another highly valued skill set in Philly, which they emphasized when building their roster this season. McCain was a good enough defender during his time at Duke, but he will need to continue to develop his defensive skills. Crucially, he has the perfect coach to develop under Nick Nurse who is a defensive specialist.
Becoming a dependable defender at the NBA level will help McCain stay in the rotation. Overall, MCain’s combination of shooting, playmaking, and defense will make him a valuable role player for Philly this season.
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