After a disastrous 2024-25 season, the 76ers are trying to stay optimistic for next year. The team finished with a brutal 24-58 record, landing them third-worst in the Eastern Conference.
Injuries crushed Philadelphia’s hopes last season, with several key players missing significant time. Rookie shooting guard Jared McCain was among the casualties, suffering a torn meniscus that required season-ending surgery.
Now McCain is making headlines for a different reason. In a recent interview with “Sixers on SI,” the young guard expressed disappointment that the team couldn’t keep one of his favorite teammates.
McCain is reportedly “sad” that Guerschon Yabusele won’t be returning to Philadelphia next season.
The rookie formed a special bond with Yabusele during their brief time together. McCain told reporters he “gravitated toward” the veteran forward and was “always picking his brain for advice.”
“He was like a big brother to me in that locker room,” McCain explained.
The Sixers selected McCain with the 16th pick in the 2024 NBA draft after his standout career at Duke. Despite his season being cut short, McCain showed flashes of brilliance in his limited playing time.
He appeared in just 23 games, making eight starts before the December injury that sidelined him for the remaining 59 games.
In that short window, McCain averaged an impressive 15.3 points per game while shooting a solid 38.3% from three-point range. He added 2.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest.
His potential hasn’t gone unnoticed around the league. In a recent re-draft exercise by analyst Sam Vecenie, McCain jumped all the way to third overall based on his rookie performance.
“McCain only got to do it for about a month while the 76ers were dealing with injuries, but no player flashed more upside as an offensive weapon last season than him,” Vecenie noted.
The Yabusele Situation
Yabusele’s departure stings for both McCain and Sixers fans. After spending four seasons away from the NBA, the French forward made the most of his second chance in Philadelphia.
He appeared in 70 games last season, starting 43 of them. The 29-year-old posted career highs across the board with 11.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.
Despite his solid contribution, reports suggest 76ers GM Daryl Morey “low-balled” Yabusele during contract negotiations.
Yabusele himself confirmed he would have stayed in Philadelphia “if the money was right.” Instead, he’ll be wearing a New York Knicks uniform next season.
The forward holds no grudges, though. He’s publicly expressed gratitude to the Sixers organization for giving him another opportunity in the NBA after his career had stalled.
For McCain and the rebuilding Sixers, losing a veteran presence like Yabusele creates another challenge heading into the new season.
The 21-year-old McCain will now need to find new mentors in the locker room as he continues his development and returns from that serious knee injury.
Philadelphia’s front office is betting that their young core, including a healthy McCain, can help turn things around after last season’s disappointment.
