Mac McClung Contract: Pacers Sign Dunk Champ to Multiyear NBA Deal, Open Roster Spot by Waiving James Wiseman
Mac McClung has secured his first full, standard NBA contract. The Indiana Pacers moved on Monday, October 27, to sign the three-time Slam Dunk Contest winner to a multiyear deal, finalizing the move alongside a corresponding roster cut of center James Wiseman. It’s a milestone for McClung after years of two-way pacts, camp invites, and G League stardom.
What the Mac McClung contract means
For McClung, “multiyear” is the key phrase. Unlike a 10-day or two-way agreement, a standard multiyear contract places him on the 15-man roster and gives him a firmer runway to compete for rotation minutes. Financial terms were not disclosed as of publication. Teams often structure early-season multiyear agreements with partial guarantees and trigger dates, but the headline for the player is security: guaranteed daily accrual on the veteran minimum or negotiated amount, access to team facilities and travel as a full-roster member, and a clearer path to game-night opportunities.
For the Pacers, the deal adds an energetic guard who can create pace, pressure the rim, and space the floor in small-ball lineups. McClung’s ability to play on or off the ball fits Indiana’s up-tempo identity. The club created the roster spot by waiving James Wiseman, signaling a shift toward backcourt depth and perimeter playmaking over a developmental flyer in the frontcourt.
Mac McClung’s road to a standard NBA deal
McClung’s path has been anything but linear:
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G League dominance: The explosive guard turned heads with high-usage efficiency and shot creation at the G League level, culminating in a Most Valuable Player season and sustained clutch scoring.
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All-Star Weekend stage: He translated viral hops into tangible brand equity with a historic slam-dunk three-peat, keeping his name in the conversation even while bouncing between two-way deals.
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Short stints, long learning curve: Training camps, 10-day contracts, and brief main-roster looks sharpened his pick-and-roll reads, catch-and-shoot consistency, and defensive positioning—areas teams scrutinize when elevating a scorer from the G League to the big club.
Landing a multiyear contract validates that sustained progress. It also signals that his shot-making and juice off the dribble project within an NBA rotation, not just in showcase settings.
How the Pacers can deploy McClung
Indiana thrives in transition and early-clock actions. McClung’s first step and willingness to push after defensive rebounds or outlet passes align with that blueprint. In half court sets, expect:
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Second-unit engine: Running bench units as a primary initiator, with quick-hitting pick-and-rolls and drive-and-kick sequences.
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Off-ball spacing: Spot-up opportunities alongside a primary ballhandler, leveraging his improved catch-and-shoot mechanics.
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Matchup hunting: Late-clock situations where his handle and stop-start burst can pry open mid-range pull-ups or kick-outs.
Defensively, the task will be point-of-attack persistence and clean screen navigation. If he holds up on that end, his offense gives the coaching staff a real lever to pull during dry spells.
Roster mechanics and timing
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Date of agreement: Monday, October 27, 2025 (U.S. time).
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Roster move: Wiseman waived to open a standard roster spot.
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Contract type: Standard NBA, multiyear (terms undisclosed).
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Status: Eligible for regular-season minutes immediately upon clearance.
This is not a hardship or two-way conversion; it’s a full contract that counts against the 15. That matters for continuity—practice reps with the core group, stable role definition, and the ability to build chemistry over months rather than weeks.
Why this Mac McClung contract resonates
The story resonates beyond the highlight reels. McClung built a resume the hard way: dominating the level in front of him, staying ready for spot chances, and treating every 10-day or Exhibit 10 as a live audition. The Pacers, meanwhile, have shown a willingness to reward production and fit over draft pedigree. It’s a sensible marriage of opportunity and need: Indiana adds a fearless downhill guard; McClung gets the platform to prove his game scales against starting-caliber defenders and playoff-level scouting.
If he turns second-unit minutes into consistent on-ball value—punctuated by timely shooting and competent defense—the multiyear label will be more than a contract note. It will mark the moment his career shifted from fringes to fixture.
Status: McClung is signed to a multiyear standard NBA contract with Indiana as of October 27, with a roster spot cleared by waiving Wiseman. Terms were not disclosed at press time.