Jared McCain Makes Sixers Regret Trade to Thunder

Merlin sees Bleacher Report revisiting the NBA trade-deadline juggle a month later and regrading the deals by on-court evidence and bigger-picture fallout. Standouts: Oklahoma City looks brilliant for Jared McCain as he’s scored efficiently and lifted the offense, while Philadelphia looks worse for shedding him to dodge the luxury tax. Other notes: Kuminga’s early burst in Atlanta, Porziņģis’ absence for Golden State, Trae Young still waiting to debut for Washington, and mixed returns for Cleveland, Dallas, Utah, Memphis and the Clippers. Merlin senses a common thread: availability and patience are worth more than flashy moves. Teams that bet on controlled young shooters or flexible salary slots are gaining ground. Those that traded prime assets for short-term fixes or gambled on health are still living on hope. The next round of judgment will hinge on injuries, extensions and who actually plays when the playoffs loom.