The Indiana Pacers are shaking up their roster in a major way.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the team is signing guard Mac McClung to a multiyear contract, as confirmed by his agent Greg Lawrence of Wasserman. In a corresponding move, Indiana plans to waive former No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman to clear space.
McClung’s deal is a non-guaranteed multiyear contract, giving him a chance to stick with the franchise as the Pacers battle through a wave of early-season injuries.
A Breakthrough for Mac McClung
The signing marks the first standard NBA deal for McClung, who became a fan favorite after winning three consecutive NBA Slam Dunk Contests, the first player ever to accomplish that feat.
Despite his fame, McClung has struggled to carve out a consistent NBA role since going undrafted in 2021. He’s spent time with several teams, including the Lakers, Warriors, Sixers and, most recently, the Orlando Magic, where he appeared in six games.
McClung’s athleticism has never been in question — he’s long been known for his explosive vertical and crowd-pleasing dunks — but his G League playmaking numbers have quietly shown more polish in recent seasons. In 2023-24 with the Osceola Magic, he averaged 25.2 points and 5.9 assists per game while shooting 36% from three. A season ago, he averaged 17.4 points and recorded 4.5 assists per game.
Now, he’ll have an opportunity to bring that energy to a Pacers team in desperate need of healthy bodies.
Pacers Waive Former Top Pick James Wiseman
To make room for McClung, the Pacers will part ways with James Wiseman, the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Wiseman, 24, had just returned from an Achilles tear suffered in the first game of last season. He started last week’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, logging 20 minutes, but his spot in Indiana’s frontcourt rotation never solidified.
The former Warriors lottery pick has battled injuries and inconsistency throughout his career. After stints with Golden State and Detroit, his release from Indiana marks another setback in a career once projected for stardom.
Injuries Push Pacers to Add Depth
Indiana’s signing of McClung comes at a time when their backcourt depth has been decimated.
All-Star Tyrese Haliburton is out for the season with an Achilles tear, while T.J. McConnell continues to rehab a lingering hamstring injury. Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, and Obi Toppin are all listed as day-to-day with various ailments. Second round pick Kam Jones was arrested earlier this season, but prior to that was scheduled to miss time dealing with a back injury.
That leaves the Pacers scrambling for rotation-ready guards — and McClung could step into that role immediately. His shooting, energy, and off-ball movement fit the team’s up-tempo style, and his high-flying ability brings a jolt of excitement to a roster hit hard by injuries.
What’s Next for Indiana
The Pacers entered the season with playoff ambitions but now face an uphill battle without Haliburton. McClung’s signing gives Indiana flexibility, while Wiseman’s release signals a shift toward adding athletic perimeter depth over big-man development.
It’s a surprising transaction — but for McClung, it’s also a long-awaited NBA breakthrough.
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