The Indiana Pacers announced that they signed guard Mac McClung on Tuesday. In a corresponding move, they waived big man James Wiseman.
If McClung's name sounds familiar, it's because he is a Slam Dunk Contest legend at this point, having won each of the last three. Additionally, he was named the G League MVP in 2024 as a member of the Osceola Magic.
The Virginia native has made headlines in the basketball world, and ever since he made his name known during the 2023 NBA All-Star festivities, many have kept an eye on his status to see what exactly was next in store for him.
Ultimately, it just ended up being more G League games and Slam Dunk Contest appearances.
McClung went undrafted in 2021 and has been a part of numerous organizations, such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, and now the Pacers. During that time, he has appeared in six games, averaging 12.7 minutes.
For some context, Moses Brown played more NBA games for the Pacers last season (nine games) than McClung has played throughout his entire professional career.
There are reasons to believe that will change very soon, however, and Pacers fans should be excited about what the 26-year-old can bring to the team.
Mac McClung can make an impact on the Pacers
By this point, it's no secret that Indiana is essentially the potential-fulfilling machine. For the past few years, the team has always gotten the most out of its players, including castaways from other teams.
Look no further than guys like Tyrese Haliburton, Obi Toppin, and Aaron Nesmith. All these players were essentially another team's trash (though to very different extents for all three of them) before the Pacers got their hands on them and turned them into a treasure.
Additionally, the Pacers have also constantly hit on players who were even overlooked in the draft.
Andrew Nembhard was a second-round pick in 2022, and he has become one of the team's most important players. Additionally, while it's early, Johnny Furphy and Taelon Peter may each be in line for a consistent role in Indiana, and they were both second-round picks as well.
All of that is to say that, given the Pacers' track record, anything less than being named a unanimous MVP as soon as this season would be a disappointment for McClung.
Not really, of course (though that would make for a great movie one day), but he at least has an opportunity to become a legitimate rotation player for a little while. And, who knows, maybe he will play himself into a spot with the team past this season.
Indiana has found success like this before, and it wouldn't be a shock if it did again.
McClung is a lot more than just some dunking legend. He is a solid scorer, averaging 22.9 points per game in four G League seasons, while also shooting 51.1% from the field and 40.4% from beyond the arc during that stretch. Additionally, he is a pretty good playmaker and passer, averaging 6.1 assists in the G League (though his 2.8 turnovers are a problem).
Plus, everybody knows exactly how athletic he is and how much energy he can bring. This is essential to Rick Carlisle's system, and this may be his best chance to carve out any type of role in the NBA.
With all the injuries the Pacers are dealing with in the backcourt, there is a reason they signed McClung. They brought him in to help keep the team afloat while they await the return of their key players (i.e., Nembhard, T.J. McConnell, and Bennedict Mathurin).
What happens after remains to be seen, but there is a lot to like about McClung in Indiana, and fans should be excited to see what he can do.