Mac McClung’s story feels like a basketball loop — the same heartbreak on repeat.
Just days after earning his long-awaited standard NBA contract with the Indiana Pacers, the three-time dunk contest champion has been waived again. The Pacers are now signing veteran Monte Morris, leaving Mac McClung without a team once more.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for fans who have followed his grind. From viral high school mixtapes to Summer League showdowns and G League dominance, Mac McClung has done almost everything right. He’s averaged over 20 points per game in the G League, won MVP, and brought home three straight dunk titles — the first player in NBA history to ever do that. And yet, somehow, he still can’t seem to secure a stable roster spot.
The easy take is to say that “he’s just a dunker.” But that’s not the full story. McClung’s game has grown — he’s become a solid shooter from deep, an underrated passer, and a willing defender on the perimeter. He’s not the 6’5 athletic freak that teams dream of, but he plays with a fire that few do. His energy, IQ, and poise should be enough to earn him a consistent shot.
So why isn’t it?
The truth is simple — there’s more to basketball than highlight reels. The NBA is a game of fit, system, and timing. Coaches trust veterans. General managers chase potential. And players like McClung — undersized, scrappy, and fighting uphill — often get caught in the middle. He’s good enough to dominate the G League but rarely given enough opportunity to prove himself on the NBA floor.
The Pacers waiving McClung isn’t about talent. It’s about depth charts, contracts, and availability. Indiana needed a steady, experienced ballhandler in Monte Morris, especially with Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin managing minutes. It’s a business move — but that doesn’t make it any less heartbreaking.
For McClung, the journey isn’t over. If anything, this might be the fuel that sparks his next chapter. He’s been counted out before, and every time, he’s come back stronger. The question now isn’t whether he can play — it’s whether someone will finally give him the time and trust to show that he belongs.
And if they do? Don’t be surprised if Mac McClung’s next comeback becomes his biggest one yet.
