Shock Move: Pacers Cut Dunk Sensation Mac McClung Just Days After Signing

Hardly had the ink dried on Mac McClung’s first-ever full NBA contract with the Indiana Pacers before the unexpected happened—he was released. Yep, the three-time dunk contest maestro found himself on the outside looking in, just ten days after the Pacers handed him a multiyear deal. It’s a harsh reminder of how fleeting moments can be in this league, especially for a player like McClung who’s navigated a winding path through five different NBA franchises, mostly riding the wave of training camp and two-way contracts until now. Indiana brought him in to fill a void carved out by a slew of injuries, including the season-ending Achilles damage to Tyrese Haliburton and setbacks to guards Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell. Despite showcasing glimpses of his talent during three game appearances, all tough losses, McClung’s stint was cut short after limited minutes in his final outing — a nail-biting loss to the Bucks. His story stirs a mix of admiration and bittersweetness; from undrafted hopeful, to dunk champion, and then the heartbreaking reality of having to start anew—all in under a fortnight. For someone who’s poured five years chasing this dream, it’s a poignant crossroads. LEARN MORE

Less than two weeks after signing his first full NBA deal with the Indiana Pacers, Mac McClung is reportedly without a team again. The three-time NBA dunk contest winner has reportedly been waived by the Pacers, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday.

The move comes 10 days after Indiana signed McClung to a multiyear deal, his first full deal in the league. McClung, who has played for five different NBA organizations, had previously only signed training camp contracts and two-way contracts.

The Pacers signed McClung amid a series of injuries, including to star Tyrese Haliburton (who is out for the season with an Achilles injury) and guards Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell.

McClung played in three games for the Pacers — all losses — during his short tenure there, averaging 6.3 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals off the bench. McClung played 13 minutes and 19 minutes in the first two games, respectively, but only played 2 minutes in his final appearance, a brutal last-second loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday.

McClung, who joined the league in 2021 after going undrafted, emerged from near obscurity in 2023 after winning the dunk contest. He won again in 2024 before becoming the first NBA player to three-peat with a win in 2025.

Despite his dunk contest success, McClung has struggled to gain traction in the NBA. He has only played nine games in the league, spending most of his time in the G League over the past four years.

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Prior to being waived, McClung told The Athletic this week he was emotional after signing the contract with Indiana.

“I got in my car, and I couldn’t help but get emotional. I was just like, man, it’s been five years trying to chase a contract. So it’s a really beautiful moment where I just thought about all the people who have been along with me for it,” McClung said.

Now, though, he will have to start over again.