Mac McClung: Why He’s Not in the NBA, Salary, Vertical & More

Anyone who has watched Mac McClung jump over a car or glide from the free-throw line knows the man can fly. But if you’ve wondered why the G League’s all-time leading scorer isn’t a fixture on an NBA bench, you’re not alone.

Height: 6’2″ (188 cm) ·
Weight: 185 lbs (84 kg) ·
Vertical Jump: 48 inches (122 cm) ·
G League PPG (2023-24): 25.7 ·
NBA Appearances: 2 ·
Puma Endorsement (Est.): $1.5M per year

Here are Mac McClung’s key biographical details:

How come Mac McClung is not in the NBA?

Size and defensive limitations

• Listed at 6’2″ with a 6’2″ wingspan — considered undersized for a shooting guard (MSN Sports (syndicated feature))
• Defensive metrics in NBA minutes are below average; teams target him on switches (Sporting News)
• Scoring prowess in G League hasn’t offset defensive liabilities at the next level (Sporting News)

Undrafted background

• Went undrafted in 2021 after playing at Texas Tech (Sportskeeda)
• Undrafted players face a steeper path to guaranteed contracts; only a fraction ever stick (ESPN)

Comparison to other G League stars

G League success does not always translate to NBA roster spots. Players like Paolo Banchero (NBA rookie phenom) entered the league with size and draft status. McClung lacks both, despite being the G League’s top scorer.

The implication: elite scoring in the G League is not enough to overcome a defensive liability at the NBA level.

What happened to Mac McClung?

Pacers 10-day contract and release

• Signed a 10-day contract with the Indiana Pacers in February 2023, released after 9 days (ESPN)
• The team cited “roster flexibility” as the reason — no official injury was involved (Sporting News)

Injury setbacks

• Suffered a foot injury during his time with the Lakers’ G League affiliate (ESPN)
• Injuries have interrupted momentum during crucial contract windows

Current status with Chicago Bulls

• Signed a two-way contract with the Bulls in February 2025 (Spotrac)
• Splits time between the Bulls and their G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls (Sporting News)

The pattern: McClung has played for four G League teams in five seasons and appeared in only 10 NBA games across five clubs, according to ESPN (league insider).

What this means: until his defense improves, his NBA role will remain marginal.

Will Mac McClung play in the NBA?

Two-way contract path

• Two-way contracts limit a player to 50 NBA games per season and pay a prorated salary (Toronto Post (sports finance analysis))
• McClung’s 2025 two-way deal with the Bulls was reportedly worth $245,064 after signing mid-season (Sporting News)

All-Star Weekend dunk contest impact

• Winning the Slam Dunk Contest in 2023, 2024, and 2025 brought massive exposure (Canadian Wire)
• Exposure has not translated into a guaranteed roster spot; it’s a performance, not a contract negotiation tactic

Chances of a standard NBA deal

• Analysts cite his age (27) and positional redundancy as obstacles to a full-time NBA role (Sporting News)
• He would need an injury or trade to open a roster spot on a team that values scoring off the bench

The catch: even a standard contract doesn’t guarantee regular minutes; he must become a rotation-grade defender.

How much money is Mac McClung making?

G League salary

• Two-way contracts pay between $500,000 and $700,000 per season; McClung’s 2025 Bulls deal was prorated to $245,064 (Sporting News)
• A separate estimate for the 2025-26 season puts his two-way value at about $149,964 (TWSN)

Puma endorsement deal

• Puma signed him to a multi-year shoe deal reportedly worth $1.5 million per year (Sporting News)
• The exact terms are not public, but a Puma spokesperson called him a “generational talent” (Canadian Wire)

Net worth estimate

• Estimated net worth around $3 million as of 2025, combining salary and endorsements (TWSN)

What this means: his brand value outstrips his on-court earnings, a rare dynamic for a G League player.

Why can Mac McClung jump so high?

Training regimen

• Follows a plyometric-heavy program called ReAthlete (Canadian Wire)
• Incorporates depth jumps, box jumps, and Olympic lifting into his routine

Genetics and body type

• His father was a high jumper, suggesting a genetic predisposition for leaping (Sportskeeda)
• At 185 lbs, his power-to-weight ratio is exceptional for a guard

Measured vertical leap

• Widely reported at 48 inches, though the NBA Combine recorded a 43.5-inch max vertical (TWSN)
• Even the lower figure would rank among the top 10 verticals in NBA combine history

The pattern: exceptional athleticism draws attention but does not replace the need for complete two-way skills.

Timeline

Key milestones in McClung’s career:

The takeaway: despite a decade of basketball, McClung has spent most of his career outside the NBA.

The contrast: confirmed achievements are impressive, but the unknowns about his NBA future remain significant.

What the experts say

“I’ve been jumping since I was a kid. It’s just training and genetics.”

— Mac McClung, in an interview with G League media (Canadian Wire)

“He’s a 6-foot-2 guard who can’t defend NBA players consistently. That’s the bottom line.”

— Anonymous NBA scout, quoted by The Athletic (Sporting News)

“Mac is a generational talent and we are excited to build the brand around him.”

— Puma spokesperson, on signing McClung (Canadian Wire)

McClung’s story is a modern parable of the gap between viral athleticism and NBA utility. For an undrafted 6’2″ guard turning 28, the choice is clear: he must either prove he can defend NBA talent at a league-average level, or accept that his legend will live in the G League and on highlight reels. The clock is ticking on his window to convert spectacle into a stable paycheck.

Mac McClung’s salary and his puzzling NBA status are examined in a detailed breakdown of his earnings, which also covers his dunk contest achievements.

Frequently asked questions