Joel Embiid ‘Not Happy’ Philadelphia 76ers Traded Jared McCain, Didn’t See Eye-To-Eye With Front Office, Coaching Staff

Joel Embiid was “not happy” when the Philadelphia 76ers traded Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic.

As the 2025-26 season progressed, it became clear that Embiid didn’t see eye-to-eye with the 76ers’ front office and coaching staff.

Philadelphia traded McCain to OKC for a 2026 first-round pick and three future second-round picks.

“As the season progressed, it became clear the star center didn’t see eye-to-eye with the front office and the coaching staff,” Jones wrote. “In the days before the February trade deadline, he implored the front office to do something other than what he termed ‘ducking the (luxury) tax.’

“As such, he — along with others in the locker room — were not happy with the decision to trade second-year guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder, particularly without bringing in a player to replace McCain. In interviews over the next few games, Embiid noticeably had to hold himself back from verbally criticizing the front office.”

The 76ers beat the Boston Celtics in the first round of this year’s playoffs in seven games but lost to the New York Knicks in the second round in four games. Embiid remains the only MVP in NBA history to never reach the conference finals.

Meanwhile, McCain is thriving with the Thunder, who will face the San Antonio Spurs or Minnesota Timberwolves in the conference finals.

The 76ers signed Embiid to a massive three-year, $187 million extension in 2024. Embiid will make $57.9 million next season and $62.6 million during the 2027-28 season. The seven-time All-Star has a player option worth $67.3 million for the 2028-29 season.

“We just gotta get better from top to bottom,” Embiid said after the Knicks swept the 76ers. “Ownership, players, coaches, everybody just has to get better. Frankly, they were just better than us. So we have to look at each other and that starts with me. I wasn’t around for much of the season for a lot of things. So moving forward, I have an understanding of what it takes to make sure that I get to play. I think we will be better next year. But for now, I’m disappointed we didn’t get a chance for a championship. So everyone has to look at themselves, starting with me.”

Embiid appeared in 38 games this regular season. He averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.

In the 2026 playoffs, Embiid put up 24.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. He played in seven out of a possible 11 games.

Embiid has spent his entire NBA career with the 76ers. He holds career averages of 27.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. It will be fascinating to see if Embiid remains with Philadelphia or gets traded this summer.

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