Mac McClung’s professional arc has become familiar. Dominant stretches in the G League, viral moments, brief NBA opportunities, followed by returns to the developmental grind.
Yet his latest run at the G League Winter Showcase with the Windy City Bulls, the affiliate of the Chicago Bulls, suggests that the cycle may not be finished and that another NBA opportunity could be closer than it appears.
The 26-year-old delivered one of the standout performances of the Showcase, pouring in 36 points and six assists in a narrow 121-119 loss to the Rip City Remix, the Portland Trail Blazers’ affiliate, on Monday. It followed a strong opening outing in which McClung recorded 22 points, five rebounds, and seven assists in a win over the Memphis Hustle.
Across the two Showcase games, McClung shot 56% from the field while continuing to shoulder a heavy offensive load, once again positioning himself among the most productive scorers outside the NBA. In an environment designed specifically for front offices to evaluate talent, McClung ensured his name remained firmly in the conversation.
Mac McClung Thrives in a Showcase Built for Shot-Makers
The Winter Showcase has long served as a proving ground for G League players attempting to break through. NBA decision-makers descend on the event searching for immediate help, players capable of filling short-term needs, providing bench scoring, or stabilizing rotations during the long regular season. For McClung, the stage was well suited to his strengths.
Carrying offensive responsibility has become second nature. This was not a heat-check performance, but a continuation of sustained scoring craft. Just days earlier, on Dec. 14, the three-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion erupted for 41 points and 10 assists in a win over the Noblesville Boom, one point shy of his season-high 42 set on Nov. 20. On that night, he shot a perfect 7-for-7 from three-point range and added eight assists.
Through 13 games this season, McClung is averaging 24.3 points, 6.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. The production is hardly a flash in the pan. Since the 2021–22 season, he has averaged 22.1 points per game across 187 G League appearances while shooting 38% from beyond the arc.
His resume at this level is already extensive. A G League MVP and scoring leader in 2024, McClung led the Osceola Magic to the Finals, falling to the Stockton Kings, but he did capture a championship in 2023. The question has never been whether he can dominate the G League, it’s whether that dominance can translate into a defined NBA role.
Why the NBA Door Isn’t Closed Yet
McClung’s NBA opportunities have been fleeting, typically limited to two-way contracts or short call-ups. He did secure a multi-year deal with the Indiana Pacers in late October, averaging 6.3 points across three games, but was ultimately waived. It was another brief NBA stint added to the growing list.
He has rarely been afforded the runway to play through mistakes or settle into a role. Still, his continued G League production forces teams to keep reassessing what he offers. At a time when NBA benches increasingly value offensive punch and secondary playmaking, McClung’s skill set remains relevant. He is a confident ball-handler, an aggressive scorer, and a capable passer who thrives in space, even if his size and defensive limitations remain points of concern.
There is also the optics factor. The 6-foot-2 guard remains one of the G League’s most recognisable figures, combining on-court production with off-court visibility. That alone does not earn contracts, but it keeps him in discussions longer than most. Still, with his two-way eligibility now expired, his pathway back to the NBA is limited to 10-day or standard contracts.
McClung’s Winter Showcase performance does not guarantee another NBA opportunity, but it reinforces a familiar truth. His window has not closed. In a league where timing, injuries, and immediate need often dictate opportunity, performances like this still matter.
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