Bulls hire dunk king before waiving him after just three hours
Chicago signed the three-time Slam Dunk Contest champion only to release him immediately.
Mac McClung has made NBA history with his enormous impact on the Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend. The 26-year-old guard (1.88 m) is the only player to win three consecutive titles, from 2023 to 2025. Nate Robinson also achieved the “triple crown,” but he didn’t win all of his awards consecutively.
McClung is also the only competitor to deliver a perfect performance, scoring 50 on each of his dunks. Across his three appearances, he has earned eight perfect scores of 50—the most ever. Only Aaron Gordon has matched this feat. Zach LaVine has seven, while Michael Jordan and Derrick Jones Jr. have six.
This impressive list of accomplishments is complemented by an MVP award and a championship in the G League, where McClung has spent his entire professional career, as he has yet to find a permanent spot in the NBA.
In the league, he has appeared in just six games over three seasons, representing four different franchises: the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers (2021–22), the Philadelphia 76ers (2022–23), and the Orlando Magic (2024–25). In total, he has logged 76 minutes on the court, tallying 33 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists. He averaged 22 points (38.1% from three), 4.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists in the G League.
This summer, a new opportunity arose with the Bulls. However, his stint with the Illinois franchise lasted just three hours – less than it takes to put together a tricky kitchen cabinet – before McClung was almost instantly waived.
The reasoning behind this back-and-forth is simple, though perhaps hard to grasp: by signing and waiving him, the Bulls secured McClung’s rights for their Development League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls.
Mac McClung put up a near-triple-double in just his SECOND game with the @sixers! 👏
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) September 28, 2025
In 2023, he posted 20-9-9 just three days after leading the @blue_coats to the title. pic.twitter.com/cEfvBtqatw
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“It’s a good way to continue working with a guy you like, but for whom there isn’t a roster spot in the NBA,” said Keith Smith, a reporter for Spotrac. The guard is guaranteed an $85,300 bonus if he spends 60 days with the Windy City Bulls.
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