The Philadelphia 76ers exercised the third-year contract option on guard Jared McCain, who returned to practice on Thursday after his impressive rookie season was cut short last December by a knee injury.

McCain’s return this season was further delayed when he tore the UCL on his right thumb during an offseason workout on Sept. 25. The 76ers announced on Oct. 1 following surgery that he would be reevaluated in about four weeks.

While the team did not announce a timeline for McCain to make his season debut, the 21-year-old did have a light practice on Thursday afternoon.

“He looks pretty good,” coach Nick Nurse said. “I mean, again, you’re right on all the stuff — it was pretty minimal today, and it’s kind of his first time joining us. Really wasn’t any contact or anything today, and I’ve said this several times, but he’s worked extremely hard, right? On a number of fronts, to get back and play.

“So I think from a conditioning standpoint, I think he’s going to be in a good place, but it’s never like actually playing in a game.”

The 76ers did not disclose the financial terms of McCain’s contract for the 2026-27 season, but according to reports the value is $4.42 million.

McCain, the 16th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft out of Duke, received an NBA Rookie of the Year vote despite playing in just 23 games (eight starts) prior to sustaining a season-ending knee injury.

He was averaging 15.3 points per game on 46% shooting, including 38.3% from distance, when he was injured Dec. 13, 2024, against Indiana. He also recorded 2.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds per contest last season.

–Field Level Media