Mac McClung Signs with Chicago Bulls: 3-Time Dunk Champion Gets Another NBA Shot

Look, we’ve all been there. You dominate your local rec league, throwing down windmills that would make Blake Griffin jealous, only to realize that highlight-reel dunks don’t necessarily translate to NBA paychecks. Well, Mac McClung has been living that reality on steroids for the past few years, except his “local rec league” happens to be the G League, and his windmills actually do make Blake Griffin jealous.

The three-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion has found himself a new home with the Chicago Bulls, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. And honestly? It’s about time someone gave this human pogo stick another legitimate shot at sticking around the league that he’s been entertaining for years.

McClung’s Unlikely Journey to the Windy City

Here’s the thing about McClung that drives basketball purists absolutely bonkers: the guy can flat-out ball. This isn’t some carnival act who shows up once a year to throw down a few crowd-pleasers during All-Star Weekend. We’re talking about a player who put up 25.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game during his 2023-24 G League MVP campaign with the Osceola Magic.

Let that sink in for a moment. G League MVP. Not “G League guy who can dunk real good.” The man was the best player in the entire developmental league, yet he’s appeared in exactly six NBA games across multiple organizations. Six. That’s fewer games than some players miss with a stubbed toe.

The Bulls’ decision to bring him into their organization makes sense from multiple angles, even if it’s likely just for G League rights with the Windy City Bulls. Chicago is in full rebuild mode, developing young talent like Matas Buzelis while trying to figure out what they have in their developmental pipeline. Adding someone with his combination of proven G League excellence and NBA experience, however limited, gives them another weapon in their player development arsenal.

What Makes McClung Special

Beyond the obvious athletic gifts that allow him to defy gravity on a nightly basis, McClung brings something that’s increasingly rare in today’s basketball landscape: genuine excitement. When was the last time you saw a G League highlight go viral? When was the last time casual fans tuned in specifically to watch a developmental league game? McClung makes that happen.

His three consecutive Slam Dunk Contest victories represent an unprecedented achievement in NBA history. Not two, not four, three straight years of being the most creative, athletic dunker on the planet when it matters most. That’s not luck. That’s not a fluke. That’s elite performance under pressure, which tends to translate well to other areas of basketball.

But here’s where it gets interesting: McClung isn’t just a one-trick pony with hops. His G League numbers suggest a player who can create his own shot, facilitate for teammates, and handle significant offensive responsibility. The question has never been whether he can play basketball—it’s whether NBA decision-makers are willing to look past the YouTube highlights and social media buzz to evaluate the actual player underneath.

Perfect Fit for Chicago’s Timeline

Chicago finds itself in an interesting position. They’re not competing for championships anytime soon, which means they have the luxury of taking calculated risks on players who might not fit the traditional mold. McClung represents exactly that type of calculated risk.

Pairing McClung with the Windy City Bulls’ existing talent, including fan-favorite Yuki Kawamura, creates one of the most entertaining backcourt combinations in G League history. Kawamura’s crafty playmaking, combined with McClung’s explosive athleticism, could generate the kind of highlights that make people actually pay attention to developmental basketball.

More importantly, McClung provides Chicago with a ready-made call-up option if injuries hit their backcourt. His limited NBA experience means he wouldn’t be completely overwhelmed by a sudden promotion, and his ability to energize crowds could prove valuable during the dog days of a long regular season.

The Broader Implications

His signing raises larger questions about how NBA teams evaluate talent. In an era where analytics dominate front-office decision-making, how do you quantify the value of a player who can single-handedly change the energy of an arena? How do you measure the marketing impact of having someone on your roster who generates genuine buzz?

Chicago seems willing to find out. In a league where player development has become increasingly important, especially for rebuilding franchises, taking a flyer on someone with McClung’s unique skill set and proven track record makes perfect sense.

Will McClung ever become a consistent NBA rotation player? That remains to be seen. But in a league that’s constantly searching for the next viral moment, the next highlight that will dominate social media, the Bulls just signed someone who’s practically guaranteed to deliver exactly that.

Whether it’s in the G League or eventually with the big club, Mac McClung is about to make Chicago basketball a lot more fun to watch. And frankly, after years of mediocrity, Bulls fans deserve some excitement, even if it comes with a side of gravity-defying dunks.

UPDATE: Mac McClung has been waived by Chicago, reported by HoopsHype. Just a little over three hours after the team signed him.