Bulls add former Lakers G Mac McClung on a 10-day contract
The most recent addition for the Chicago Bulls via the hardship exemption amid the latter stages of the breakout of COVID-19 cases within this team arrived late in the morning of Dec. 21. The third of three additions so far via the hardship exemption in the wake of a number of absences among Bulls players due to the league’s health and safety protocol is also an interesting one.
According to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic/Stadium on Twitter on Dec. 21, the Bulls signed the former Los Angeles Lakers undrafted guard Mac McClung. The Bulls signed McClung via the hardship exemption to a 10-day contract this week.
McClung will join the Bulls after spending most of the season so far with the South Bay Hawks in the G-League. He also started out this year with the Lakers during Training Camp and the preseason. But he has yet to play in a single regular season game in the NBA.
Chicago Bulls reportedly adding Mac McClung with Devon Dotson and Alex Caruso potentially out
The Chicago Bulls are signing guard Mac McClung to a 10-day hardship deal, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. McClung went to training camp with the Lakers and has played for their G League South Bay affiliate.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 21, 2021
That could change, though, given some of the depth shortages for the Bulls thanks to the plethora of players in the health and safety protocol and another rash of recent injuries. The Bulls saw fellow former Los Angeles Lakers guard Alex Caruso leave their Dec. 20 game against the Houston Rockets due to a foot injury.
And the Bulls could miss forward Derrick Jones Jr. through the end of the Christmas break, as he is also dealing with a nagging injury issue after he got out of the health and safety protocol within the last week.
The Bulls will be hoping to get some solid offensive production out of the microwave scorer that is McClung. He’s played well in his time in the G-League so far this season. Through 13 games played with South Bay in the G-League this season, McClung averaged around 20 points per game, three rebounds, six assists, one steal, and 0.5 blocks.
And he’s shot around 48 percent from the field, 40 percent from beyond the arc, and 83 percent from the free-throw line. He’s remained one of the most efficient and productive offensive guards in the G-League so far this season.
Can confirm Devon Dotson has entered league’s health and safety protocols, per source. 1st with news was @DarnellMayberry.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) December 21, 2021
Bulls will sign Mac McClung to 10-day contract, according to @ShamsCharania. Haven’t independently confirmed that yet.
Regardless, it’s sign virus persists
It is also worth noting that the Bulls are now missing the second-year point guard Devon Dotson as he’s now entered the health and safety protocol this week. Losing Dotson and Caruso is the likely reason for the Bulls signing McClung.
The interesting part about this signing is the fact that McClung doesn’t really have a proven track record of NBA production under his belt at all. There might be some more proven and experienced guards out there to sign in free agency. Yet, this is just likely about getting the right numbers on the roster as the issues with the health and safety protocol continue for the Bulls.
Next. Studs, duds, from Bulls win over the Rockets. dark
Second-year head coach Billy Donovan and the Bulls are now sporting a record of 19-10 following their Dec. 20 win at home at the United Center over the Rockets. Next up for the shorthanded Bulls is a meeting with the Toronto Raptors at the UC on Dec. 22.