The Pacers are signing free agent guard Mac McClung to a multiyear contract, agent Greg Lawrence tells Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
McClung’s multiyear deal will be non-guaranteed, sources tell Charania (Twitter link).
To make room for McClung on their standard roster, which is currently full, the Pacers intend to waive center James Wiseman, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (via Twitter).
As Keith Smith of Spotrac tweets, Wiseman’s contract features a $1MM partial guarantee. Assuming he clears the waiver wire, Indiana will carry that $1MM cap hit on its books for the remainder of 2025/26.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft, Wiseman signed with the Pacers as a free agent in the 2024 offseason after playing for Golden State and Detroit in his first four NBA seasons. The big man impressed Indiana in the preseason last fall and appeared to have the edge for the backup center role behind Myles Turner, but tore his left Achilles tendon in the club’s regular season opener.
Wiseman, 24, re-signed with the Pacers on a two-year deal (the second season is a team option) in July and was said to be in excellent shape entering the ’25/26. Just like last season, he appeared in one game for the Pacers this fall, recording four points and four rebounds in 20 minutes during Saturday’s blowout loss in Memphis.
The Pacers were carrying four centers on their roster and have several guards injured at the moment, so swapping out Wiseman for McClung makes sense from a roster composition perspective.
McClung has become a household name among NBA fans by winning the league’s past three slam dunk contests. However, the 26-year-old 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.
The 6’2″ guard was signed and waived by Chicago this fall and likely would have started ’25/26 with the Windy City Bulls had the opportunity with Indiana not come up. Instead, he’ll be signing his first standard NBA contract with the Pacers, as Charania notes.
IT’S MAC TIME BABY!
The big man the Warriors were looking for! LOL
Sure. Sign him to a GLEAGUE contract. He really just needs playing time.
That’s stupid bruh Mac hasn’t shown anything for more than a two way and Wiseman played one game since he came back from a torn Achilles
They need guards. Backcourt players on their roster are dropping like flies, and 2-way guys are playing massive minutes.
Wiseman is Olowokandi 2.0…
Huge difference. Olowokandi was never injured. He just didn’t care. He never wanted to work on his game.
I hope McClung gets a legit chance and some actual playing time from Carlisle.
The Magic screwed him big time.
Lol
I suspect Mosely might be rascist
Ridiculous!? The Magic went out of their way to set Mac up to get opportunities, he just doesn’t fit their system in Orlando. So they essentially turned their G League team into the Mac show.
The entire indy tm is decimated with injury
Just tank and lose 70 and grab a high pick
respect for trying
But making the play-in dont mean a dam thing
Good for Mac.
Wiseman should go to Europe, an Eastern European team. They are pretty good with the bigs.
Wiseman to Memphis on 10 day
Wiseman to Harlem Globetrotters
He would still have trouble posting up against the Generals.
Great opportunity for Mac, gets to learn from TJ McConnell who is the player he needs to emulate if he’s going to stick. Also a good fit w/ the Pacers & Carlisle’s style.
Wiseman wasn’t needed given health of all the centers who can’t really play together, and he didn’t outplay Tony Bradley.
It’s not the end of the NBA road for Wiseman as there are plenty of teams with dog**** center depth (MIA, MEM, NY, BOS, WAS). He may take a little while to latch back on given some of those team’s proximities to the Aprons. Probably some bad timing for him w/ DeAndre Jordan signed to a guaranteed deal two days ago, while Charles Bassey latched onto Memphis on a Hardship 10-day.
Wiseman is still healing. Probably could go to G-league to get in NBA shape. GS would be smart to bring him in. And do right by him this time.
What’s crazy to me is how Wiseman gets looked as failing. When IMO teams have failed him. Yes he must accept some responsibility NOW. But the Warriors especially didn’t help him much. They expected a savior.
IHart has paid his dues. Knicks and Thibs helped him to play big always. Go look at his career before NY. And was taught to make an impact as a Big. He learned and put it to use. His career stats. In 382 career games his stats are……. IHart is 27 yrs old
19.6 mins, 6.8 pts, 6.4 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk, .612% 2pt,
.685% FT
In a 149 career games Wiseman has never been developed. Has been bounced around just to move his salary. Even though he hasn’t been used right. Or been developed right. Or given a real chance. chk out his stats in 149 games career. Wiseman is 24 yrs old.
19 mins, 9.1 pts, 5.6 reb, 1 blk, .667% 2pt, .683% FT
This is the difference when you have a coach like Thibs. Who teaches and gets the most out of his players. Not gives up and dumps them on other teams.
Considering how Wiseman has been bounced and jerked around the NBA. He still has put up the same stats as 28 million dollar IHart. I 100% believe Wiseman can be taught to be like IHart as far as Impact on game. And with his athleticism. Can be a better scorer with 24 mins plus a game. Go read their stats and team stats.
GSW can’t sign Wiseman, no cap space. I’m sure he’ll get a vet min deal with some team though.
How many chances is Mac gonna get? He’s proven he has one skill hops. He can’t shoot against NBA defenses. Just ride into the sunset with your 3 dunk titles
Well, given this is his first standard contract and has only played 6 NBA games to date… this is going to be his first real one.
He’s a good scorer but NBA teams generally don’t need that from an undersized guard anymore – except for teams in Indiana’s position.
Guys like Delon Wright and Cam Payne were signed and waived by the Pacers, and now they have no guards. Ridiculous.
This is why I hate the G-League.
Crap like McClung gets minutes
Veterans like Cameron Payne go unsigned
McClung is probably a better player than Payne at thus point. He’s also a better bet to survive 82 games which is rhe biggest thing they need. A healthy young body that can survive the pace they want to play.
Payne was ass in the preseason with Indy, he had his shot.
Wiseman isn’t eligible for a 2-way, and won’t get any attention as a G-league mercenary. He’ll get only slightly more on a 1 year NG NBA deal. If he’s serious about his career, then overseas might be his best option.
The 1M guarantee Wiseman had (to ultimately play one game) means he can afford to be patient.
He is probably better off continuing to rehab and waiting for his next opportunity here. If nothing arises, he can head overseas next year (fully rehabbed).
BBQ chicken alert
If Indy can hide him on defense he’ll put on a show. Otherwise he’s gonna get focused on by opposing offenses…
Wiseman to … Boston?
Nets should sign Wiseman. And Wiseman should hire Thibs to teach him to play big in NBA. Work out with Thibs for 3 months. He can afford it. He’s made over 40 mill. 24 yrs old.
If you sign a player to the minimum. He can still play in G-league to get in shape. If he wants a real job. Then he has to do it right.