Mac McClung is known primarily as a dunker thanks to his two wins in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. He’s also been extremely successful in the G League, winning the 2024 MVP award after averaging 24.7 points, 6.5 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game.
McClung clearly has the athleticism to compete at the highest levels, and he’s been a great offensive player both in college and the lower levels of professional basketball. Yet the 26-year-old has only played in five games total over the course of his three NBA seasons.
McClung was even pretty good in those 71 career minutes, shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from 3. He has clear offensive talent, but he’s currently on a two-way contract with the Magic and has only played five total minutes this season.
Why has McClung struggled for so long to receive a fully guaranteed NBA contract when he’s proven himself at every level? Here’s the answer.
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Why isn’t Mac McClung in the NBA?
McClung can score against NBA players but lacks size
McClung’s offensive ability is certainly high enough to warrant a spot on an NBA bench. He’s a good 3-point shooter, he can create his own shot and those high-flying dunks translate to real games.
ALLEY-OOP TO MAC MCCLUNG‼️✈️
The reigning @ATT Slam Dunk champion shows off his bunnies on https://t.co/fLGfbO13fw. pic.twitter.com/X6EOH00p8t
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) January 15, 2024
One of the knocks against McClung was that he was more of a shooting guard than a point guard. He’s silenced those critics, improving as a playmaker and passer in the G League.
Part of the reason for McClung’s difficulty transitioning to the NBA is his role would be completely different. He’s been the primary playmaker for his G League teams, getting to take control of offenses. He would have to be more of an off-ball player in the NBA, and his shot-creation skills would not be as valuable.
The main thing holding McClung back is his size. He’s just 6-2 and 185 pounds. Of the 309 players who played at least 500 minutes this season, only 30 are 6-2 or under. Many of those players, such as Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey, are so dynamic offensively that their defensive limitations aren’t enough to keep them off the floor. McClung isn’t quite at that level.
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McClung has defensive concerns
Teams are picking on small defenders more than ever, and McClung’s size makes him a target every time he’s on the floor. His NBA minutes have not been pretty. When he’s gotten switched onto bigger forwards and centers, he’s had no chance of stopping them. And other bigger guards have overpowered him 1-on-1.
McClung is further hurt by a poor 6-2 wingspan. Even if he gets good contests on shooters, he doesn’t affect their shot at all. He’s not great at screen navigation, which is a necessity for him given how teams will attack him.
McClung does do some things well on defense, though. He gives good effort and has played the passing lanes well in the G League, averaging 1.0 steals per game.
McClung is one of those players who is too good for the G League but doesn’t seem to have quite the physical abilities to stick in the NBA. While he has put in a ton of work to improve his game, there’s not much he can do about his lack of size.
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