Daryl Morey Reveals Sixers’ Decision to Avoid Trading First-Round Pick

Why did the Philadelphia 76ers keep their first-rounder in the 2024 NBA Draft?

Mar 31, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Jared McCain (0) and North Carolina State Wolfpack guard DJ Horne (0) react in the first half in the finals of the South Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at American Airline Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports / Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

On the first night of the 2024 NBA Draft, several picks were traded. Heading into the event, the Philadelphia 76ers were viewed as one of the most likely teams to part ways with the 16th overall selection.

The last time the Sixers had a first-round pick, Daryl Morey’s front office flipped it for a veteran role player in De’Anthony Melton. On Wednesday night, the option to make a similar move was on the table, but the Sixers were intrigued with the remaining pool of rookies.

As they went on the clock with the 16th pick, the Sixers selected Duke’s Jared McCain.

“We liked some of the concepts where we’d move back a little bit and pick up a guy who might be a little closer to ready to play. But really, the value on McCain was just too high for us, so we stuck,” Daryl Morey said following the draft. “It’s a player we might be able to acquire later, potentially. Again, all options were on the table. There were some advantages to us.”

According to Morey, the plan was simple; take the best player available. McCain just happened to be a top-ten player on the 76ers’ draft board, who slipped outside of that range, offering Philadelphia a chance to make a great value pick.

The 20-year-old guard doesn’t bring a ton of experience beyond the high school level to the table. After committing to Duke as a five-star recruit, McCain spent just one season in the NCAA. Despite his limited action, McCain was an immediate starter, averaging 32 minutes on the floor with 36 starts.

During that time, McCain averaged 14 points, five rebounds, and two assists per game.

“Very excited to welcome Jared McCain to the team,” Morey said. “Thrilled that we were able to have a pick to get a player of this quality.”

McCain joins the Sixers as Morey’s third first-round selection since joining the front office in 2020. When the Sixers opted not to trade their late first-rounder in 2020, they ended up with a future All-Star in Tyrese Maxey. While the 76ers don’t want to put pressure on McCain this early, they are confident they might’ve hit on another player this summer.

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