With the NBA expansion process fully underway, there are a lot of big questions up in the air. One that might not be on everyone’s minds is the future of Mac McClung. The Slam Dunk Contest legend has struggled to find a permanent roster spot in the NBA. Two new teams might give him an opening.
As of March 25th, the NBA Board of Governors voted to authorize formal talks around new franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle. This means that the NBA will start accepting bids from interested parties and then potentially evaluate ownership groups, arena infrastructure, and economic factors in both cities.
Nothing is guaranteed at this point. While a formal decision on the viability of both franchises is expected by the end of this year, any number of issues could pop up that derail one or both new teams from happening. At the same time, that seems highly unlikely.
Las Vegas has been the league’s unofficial 31st city for at least a decade. It’s also been one of the worst-kept secrets in the NBA that they’ve wanted a team back in Seattle since the last franchise moved to OKC. Setting up shop in these two cities is all but a done deal for the NBA.
Make room on a roster for Big Mac
This means that there will be 30 new full-time NBA contracts available as well as six new two-way contracts. Once the expansion draft happens, there will be a massive reshuffling of talent around the entire league. That creates opportunities for a player like McClung who has earned a spot.
McClung is more than a three-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion. He’s a legit G League legend. His accolades include G League Champion, G League MVP, two-time All-NBA G League First Team, G League Rookie of the Year, and G League scoring champion. The man is a bonafide baller.
Regardless, McClung has struggled to find a permanent rotation berth in the NBA. At six feet and two inches, he’s considered undersized for the league and a defensive liability by many. It’s an interesting take, as Domantas Sabonis is six feet and ten inches of All-Star defensive liability, yet he has a spot.
Several NBA teams have signed McClung to two-way contracts over the years, only to keep sending him down to the G League. With a lot of new roster spaces opening up, this might be his chance to finally get some real minutes on an NBA court and prove himself.