Mac McClung: Why He’s Not in the NBA and His G League Salary

You’ve seen the highlight reels—a 6-foot-2 guard soaring over a car to throw down a dunk that defies physics. Mac McClung has won three straight NBA Slam Dunk Contests, a feat no one else has pulled off, yet despite that airborne wizardry he’s played just four NBA games in four seasons—this article examines the numbers and contract structures behind that paradox.

Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) ·
Vertical leap (reported): 48–50 inches (122–127 cm) ·
NBA appearances (career): 4 games (2021–2025) ·
Slam Dunk Contest wins: 3 (2023, 2024, 2025) ·
2024–25 G League salary (two-way): approximately $502,000 ·
Current NBA team: Chicago Bulls (two-way contract)

Eight data points, one pattern: McClung’s dominance in the G League and dunk contests stands in stark contrast to his minimal NBA footprint.

Why is Mac McClung not in the NBA?

Height and position limitations

McClung is listed at 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) and 185 lb, per the Chicago Bulls. For a shooting guard, that’s short by NBA standards — the average NBA shooting guard stands about 6 ft 5 in. He lacks the length to defend taller wings and doesn’t have the elite playmaking to stick at point guard. Wikipedia notes he went undrafted in 2021, a signal that teams saw a tweener guard without a clear NBA role.

Defensive liabilities at the NBA level

In his four NBA appearances, McClung averaged 4.0 points but committed fouls at a rate that limited his minutes. Athlon Sports reported that his defensive rating in limited NBA action was well below league average. Two-way contracts restrict him to 50 days with the parent club, meaning he spends most of the season in the G League where his offensive skills dominate.

NBA teams are reluctant to give a full roster spot to a guard who can’t switch or contain penetration. The implication: McClung’s dunk‑contest fame hasn’t erased the fundamental size and defensive questions that kept him undrafted.

How much money is Mac McClung making?

G League two-way contract details

For the 2024–25 season, McClung signed a two‑way contract with the Chicago Bulls. Social media estimates place his prorated salary at about $502,000. Two‑way players earn a flat amount (roughly half the rookie minimum) and are paid only when on an NBA roster or actively assigned to the G League affiliate.

Comparison to average G League salary

Standard G League players make between $40,000 and $100,000 per season. FanSided noted that McClung’s three‑peat performance in the Slam Dunk Contest added $310,000 in prize money — meaning his dunk‑contest winnings can exceed his base salary in some years. By contrast, the NBA veteran minimum exceeds $2 million. The catch: even at $502,000, McClung earns far more than most G Leaguers, but still well below the league’s floor.

The pattern: even the most celebrated dunker in the league can’t escape the two‑way ceiling.

Why can Mac McClung jump so high?

Physical attributes and training

McClung reportedly possesses a vertical leap of 48–50 inches — among the highest ever recorded in basketball. DraftExpress measured his max vertical at the NBA Combine at 43.5 inches, while his trainer claimed a later test hit 47.5 inches. His leaping ability stems from a combination of long legs (relative to his height) and a high proportion of fast‑twitch muscle fibers.

Measured vertical leap history

Bolavip reported that McClung registered a 43.5‑inch vertical at the G League Combine. Very few NBA players have ever posted official verticals above 45 inches. What this means: McClung’s athletic gift is genuine and elite — but it hasn’t translated to the on‑court NBA production required for a full contract because dunk contests reward pure jumping, while NBA teams need multi‑dimensional guard play.

Is Mac McClung going back to the NBA?

Current contract status with Chicago Bulls

In February 2025, the Chicago Bulls signed McClung to a two‑way contract, converting him after a previous 10‑day deal. As of publication, he had not yet appeared in a game for the Bulls. The two‑way structure allows Chicago to evaluate him without committing a full roster spot.

Path to a standard NBA roster spot

To secure a standard NBA contract, McClung would need to outperform in G League assignments and show improved on‑ball defense. An NBA G League Winter Showcase video described him as needing to “impress to secure an NBA contract.” The trade‑off: his age (27) and experience suggest this two‑way might be his last realistic chance. If he doesn’t break through, he remains an elite G League star with a Hall‑of‑Fame dunk‑contest résumé — but no permanent NBA home.

Who is the highest paid G League player?

Two‑way contract vs. select contract salaries

Two‑way players earn around $500,000, but select contracts (rare deals for top prospects) can reach $500,000–$600,000. The standard G League salary tops out at about $150,000, per Athlon Sports. Some NBA veterans assigned to the G League on Exhibit 10 deals may earn more than two‑way players, but those are temporary.

Historical highest earners

McClung’s total compensation (salary plus contest winnings) may make him the highest‑paid G League player in a given season. SalarySwish calculated his career NBA earnings at roughly $1.2 million. Yet he remains on a two‑way, illustrating that even the G League’s top earner can’t easily cross into a standard NBA contract without a team willing to guarantee a roster spot.

The catch: even the highest‑paid G Leaguer is still tied to a two‑way structure that limits his earning potential and NBA stability.

Timeline: Mac McClung’s career path

• 2021 (August): Signed Exhibit 10 contract with Los Angeles Lakers after going undrafted (SalarySwish).
• 2021–22 season: Appeared in 1 NBA game for Lakers; spent most of season with South Bay Lakers (G League).
• 2022–23 season: Joined Delaware Blue Coats (G League); won G League championship; signed two 10‑day contracts with Philadelphia 76ers.
• 2023 NBA All‑Star Weekend: Won first Slam Dunk Contest (Wikipedia).
• 2023–24 season: Two‑way contract with Orlando Magic; appeared in 2 NBA games; won second Slam Dunk Contest.
• 2024–25 season: Two‑way contract with Chicago Bulls (February 2025); won third Slam Dunk Contest; NBA games yet to be played at time of publication (Bulls).

The pattern: every NBA stint has been temporary — 10‑day or two‑way — and never converted to a full season contract.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• McClung is 6 ft 2 in tall (official NBA measurements from Bulls).
• He has won three consecutive NBA Slam Dunk Contests (2023, 2024, 2025) per Wikipedia.
• His current contract is a two‑way with the Chicago Bulls for the 2024–25 season (Bulls).
• He has played in a total of 4 NBA regular‑season games (Wikipedia).
• He went undrafted in 2021 (Bolavip).

What’s unclear

• Exact vertical leap measurement — 48–50 inches is reported but not officially verified by NBA Combine.
• Future NBA roster chances — dependent on team needs and his defensive development.
• Exact net worth — estimates range from $500,000 to $2 million, but no verified public figure.

Perspectives from around the league

McClung’s dunk contest winnings can easily exceed the value of his playing salary in some seasons.

— FanSided (editorial analysis)

He needs to impress to secure an NBA contract; his two‑way deal gives him a real audition.

— NBA G League Winter Showcase coverage (YouTube)

For a guard his size, the road to an NBA rotation is steep — you have to be exceptional offensively or a lockdown defender. McClung is exceptional at one thing, but that thing happens in a dunk contest, not in the flow of an NBA game.

— Athlon Sports (scouting commentary)

For McClung, the choice is clear: either improve his perimeter defense and playmaking enough to earn a guaranteed NBA contract before age 28, or resign himself to being the highest‑paid, most‑decorated G League player in history — a legacy that dazzles in highlights but falls short of a full NBA career.

Frequently asked questions

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