4:24 pm: McClung has officially been signed and waived by the Bulls, according to the transaction log at NBA.com.
1:59 pm: The Bulls have agreed to a deal with free agent guard Mac McClung, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
McClung, 26, has become a household name among NBA fans by winning the league’s past three slam dunk contests. However, he has still seen limited game action at the NBA level, appearing in just six total regular season contests for four teams from 2021-25. He was on a two-way contract with the Magic for all of last season, but logged just 10 total minutes in two outings for Orlando.
McClung has starred in the G League in recent years, earning a spot on the All-NBAGL first team in 2024/25 after being named MVP in ’23/24. In a total of 44 appearances for the Osceola Magic last season, he averaged 23.0 points, 5.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 32.4 minutes per game, with a shooting line of .481/.344/.828.
With 15 players on guaranteed contracts and three on two-way deals, the Bulls may not have a spot available on their regular season roster for McClung. If the plan is to have him play for their G League affiliate, then the Windy City Bulls would need to acquire his returning rights from Osceola.
Assuming McClung signs an Exhibit 10 contract, he’d be eligible for a bonus worth up to $85,300 if he spends at least 60 days with Windy City.
Interesting. Could be his shot to stick and show his stuff? Good for him, he stuck with it, worked hard and hasn’t given up.
Dang it, they got me. This is just another G league thing.
I guess Orlando has seen enough and are letting him give it a try somewhere else. Well…, Good for him still. Keeping at it, not giving up.
Here’s one thought that comes to mind, I don’t know if this is applicable to Mac or not, but as he ages and slows down, perhaps he can become a better “basketball player?”
Maybe become more effective as a back up point guard who doesn’t look to score 25 points? I hope that makes sense.
He can be Cameron Payne and play spot duty, but effective spot duty when called upon or like any of the other 80 backup point guards in the league, he can come in and get the job done? Who knows just a thought.
He’s too small to defend at the NBA level.
Increased switching and zone around the NBA isn’t helping either
He’s chop liver on an Island vs 90+% of wings these days.
Even if his player doesn’t score the whole defense is put on pins and needles rotating furthering devaluing him
Not sure why anyone with any knowledge of the NBA even talks about McClung. There’s plenty of guys who’ve played a handful of games in the NBA over the years that no one talks about. I guess it’s cuz he’s white and can dunk.
Well….this is very stylish!!
They must want representation in the slam dunk contest.
Bulls FO got tired of reading about how clueless they are, and they see this as a high-profile opportunity to prove they know better than everyone else.
Or
Bulls FO is acknowledging the team is facing yet another season of mediocrity and irrelevancy, and consider this a fan-friendly gesture to bring some excitement to what will surely be a drab season.
Admittedly, this is all pure conjecture, but I doubt none of it.
You should have doubted all of it. It’s a G League signing.
Literally, but “G League signing” could be a metaphor for so much of the Bulls moves these days. Extending Karnisovas and Eversley were G League signings. Extending Williams a G League signing.
Ugh didn’t realize til just now how suffocating my Bulls pessimism has become. And this is only the pre-seasson.
Rather have this guy than Giddey and his contract
for everything that mac has done for the dunk contest he deserves atleast a 10mil contract
I was impressed by Mac’s dunks each year and hoped for another. It’s good to go out on top though.