Mac McClung has agreed to a deal with the Magic, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). It’s an Exhibit 10 contract, a source tells Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel (Twitter link).
The 25-year-old guard was named MVP of the G League last season, but he’s best known for winning the past two Slam Dunk Contests at All-Star Weekend. He has limited NBA experience, appearing in two games with the Sixers on a two-way deal after becoming the 2023 dunk champion and playing one game each with the Bulls and Lakers during the 2021/22 season.
McClung was also in training camp with Orlando last fall on an Exhibit 10 deal. He was waived before the start of the season and joined the Magic’s G League affiliate in Osceola, where he averaged 25.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.6 assists in 27 games.
Orlando already has 15 players with standard contracts, so it will be difficult for McClung to earn a spot on the 15-man roster. The team has a pair of two-way openings remaining, so that’s likely his best path back to the NBA.
McClung has received numerous NBA opportunities since going undrafted out of Texas Tech in 2021. He signed two contracts with the Lakers, a pair of 10-day deals with Chicago and spent time with Golden State before joining Philadelphia and Orlando.
If McClung fails to win a roster spot, the Exhibit 10 contract will allow him to earn a bonus worth up to $77.5K if he spends at least 60 days with Osceola.
The signing will give the Magic 17 players on their training camp roster, four short of the league maximum.
Great that he’s receiving some guaranteed money. He’s probably tired of bouncing around and earning very little. He’s definitely a draw and a interesting preseason storyline but when push comes to shove, Mac’s not good enough to make the team.
It’s nice that this is the Magic as they’re familiar with him, as well as he knows they’re a little shy in the dynamic guard Department.
Another thing he’s aware of of course is that at 25 he’s hoping he’s matured enough to understand the NBA game and what a team may need from the third string point guard.
It’s not 25 points I’ll tell you that and I hope Mac understands it too. When you enter the game it’s already decided and you have to help the other scrubs get productive run time in those 3 minutes you’re on the floor together. You’re not there to get your 12 and call it a night lol. Will Mac realize this at 25? He better because his size and his defense are big red flags that are not in his favor.
Camp body, he is not a rotational piece on a playoff caliber team. A bad team can pick him up he may put a few fans in seat before the novelty runs out.
I’m going to explain this AGAIN as I do every preseason. Let’s look at Ryan Arcidiacono. You may say, and I will agree with you 100%, that Mac McClung is TWICE the player that Ryan is.
It is obvious to anyone who’s touched a basketball. My wife can see it, my four-year-old can see it, you can see it and I can see it.
But why does Ryan Arcidiacono find his way onto an NBA roster season after season year after year?
The answer to that question is what many of you here can’t see. Then you argue with me and say McClung hasn’t received a real chance or he deserves better etc etc.
Mac McClung runs circles around Ryan Arcidiacono. Mac McClung has NBA point guard STARTING skills. It’s clear to everyone !!
But he’s not good enough to be an NBA starting guard.., he’s too small, he has no defense and he’s thus ineffective.
So his chance is as a BACKUP guard and he’s not good enough to be a backup guard.
He’s too small, his defense is poor etc etc.
The best Mac can hope for is a 3RD STRING point guard job. Coach and management and ownership even wants something different from their 3rd string point guard then what Mac McClung realizes.
They want Ryan Arcidiacono!! They want a guy who will help the other 4 garbage time dudes get better and have productive floor time in blowouts.
That’s it and Mac McClung is not that player.
Get it?
Mac McClung is out there dunking on dudes and getting his 12 points in 3 minutes.
He’s phenomenal but that’s not what teams want. As I wrote above, will he understand it at 25? We’ll see. Let’s hope he doesn’t realize it at 30 because by then his dynamic physical and athletic separation will have faded quite a bit.
The only way these spark plug guys catch on is, game after game after game after game of insane production in limited minutes with little competition for places.
For example 10 points in 5 minutes or better averages over a month, then the media attention comes in and the coach is like okay I’ll give him a little more and a little more.
That only happens if you don’t have 5 point guards on the roster and unfortunately Orlando has exactly that, lots of competition.
Had he signed with the Miami or Milwaukee ( a team that gets more attention) and then had a bunch of insanely productive performances then maybe he could catch a break but I don’t see it happening for him anytime soon sorry Mac
Yes right, and it seems like Orlando is the only team that will give him a spot in preseason tryouts. Milwaukee won’t. Miami won’t. It’s a shame because I know he works hard.
Like I keep saying, fringe NBA guards, G-leaguer guards should study TJ McConnell’s game ……. he’s bottom tier when it comes to hops and speed and for the longest time he wasn’t known for his long ball.
He knows and plays his role well.
His pesky defense aside – he doesn’t turn the ball over much, controls pace and is great assessing gaps on the opponents defense.
He sticks around rosters and by sticking around long enough, he develops the other aspects of his game …….. he’s been above league average on the long ball, his time with the PACERS.
Yup, he knows his role and plays it well.
You “experts” are way off on this one. Mac has been GREATLY improving this last year in ALL aspects of his game, is about the size of Cole Anthony and Steph Curry with a better hop and speed, and has ENOUGH STUFF to at least earn last spot on Magic’s roster – just watch and see