The Chicago Bulls have been anything but quiet this trade deadline. Widely expected to sit on the sidelines, they instead jumped into the action with three separate deals that reshaped the back end of their roster.
In total, the Bulls brought in four new players and picked up three second-round picks, along with additional draft considerations. For a team currently hovering around the Play-In Tournament cutoff, this flurry of activity signals a front office still looking for the right formula - not just for this season, but for the bigger picture ahead.
And they’re not done yet.
Just a day after their trade spree, the Bulls made another move - this one more under-the-radar but no less intriguing. Chicago is signing guard Mac McClung to a two-way contract. The three-time NBA Dunk Contest champion is joining the team in Toronto, where the Bulls face the Raptors tonight.
Now, if McClung’s name rings a bell, it’s likely because you’ve seen him defy gravity in more than one All-Star Weekend. He’s become a must-watch fixture in the Dunk Contest, blending raw athleticism with creativity that pops off the screen. But behind the highlight reels is a player still trying to carve out a consistent role in the league.
McClung entered the NBA in 2021 as an undrafted free agent, riding a wave of viral fame thanks to his high school and college dunk montages. That athleticism has always been his calling card, and it’s what’s kept him on the radar despite bouncing between G League teams and short NBA stints. He’s had flashes - moments where he’s shown he can contribute beyond the highlight plays - but until now, he’s struggled to find a long-term NBA home.
His most recent NBA action came earlier this season with the Indiana Pacers. McClung saw the floor in three games, averaging 6.3 points before being released. After that, he landed with the Windy City Bulls, Chicago’s G League affiliate, where he continued to showcase his talent and keep his name in the mix.
Now, he gets another shot - this time with a Bulls team that’s clearly open to shaking things up. The two-way deal gives both sides flexibility.
For Chicago, it's a low-risk bet on a player with upside and fan appeal. For McClung, it's another opportunity to prove he can do more than dunk - that he can contribute meaningfully in NBA minutes.
He’s already won over crowds with his aerial acrobatics. Now, the challenge is to stick the landing as a rotation player in the league.