The Indiana Pacers’ decision to waive Mac McClung and pick up Monte Morris marks one of the more abrupt roster shifts you’ll see this early in the season — and it speaks to both the precariousness of their backcourt and their urgent need for reliability in the face of mounting injuries. McClung, the three-time slam-dunk contest champion who only recently earned his first standard NBA contract with Indiana, is out after just three games. In his short stint, he averaged 6.3 points in 11.3 minutes per game. (SI) What once seemed like a low-risk, high-reward play has been replaced quickly by a more seasoned presence in Monte Morris.
McClung’s journey has been the sort that inspires — a G League star, a viral dunk‑contest legend, but someone whose real NBA role remained uncertain. (Wikipedia) The Pacers gave him a non‑guaranteed multi-year deal on October 28, his first genuine standard NBA contract after bouncing between two-way deals and G League stints. (ESPN.com) But now, less than two weeks later, they’re cutting him loose, choosing instead to bring in Morris, a veteran point guard known for his poise, decision-making, and steady hand. (indysports.today)
It’s not just about McClung’s performance — it’s about context. The Pacers’ backcourt is being decimated by injuries. Key guards like Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, T.J. McConnell, plus their star Tyrese Haliburton (who is out for the season), have left Indiana scrambling for options. (NBA Trade Rumors) In that environment, a player like Morris — who has spent eight-plus seasons in the league, knows how to manage a game, and minimizes mistakes — becomes extremely valuable.
Morris was originally expected to join the Pacers in training camp, but a calf strain derailed that plan. (SI) Now healthy, he’s stepping into a critical role. At 30 years old and entering his ninth NBA season, he brings a veteran’s perspective. His career assist-to-turnover ratio sits around an elite 4.9-to-1, which underlines how careful he is with the ball. (hoopsrumors.com) Last season, with the Phoenix Suns, he averaged modest numbers — around 5.2 points, 1.6 assists in limited minutes — but those stats belie what he really brings: steadiness, leadership, and a calming presence in broken lineups. (SI)
There are also financial mechanics at work. By waiving McClung, Indiana takes on a relatively small cap hit — about $164,060 for the rest of the season, per reports. (indysports.today) Meanwhile, Morris is expected to sign a minimum‑salary deal, prorated for the season; according to Hoops Rumors, that would put him at around $2,980,991 for the remainder of the year, with his contract non‑guaranteed until January. (hoopsrumors.com) From a financial standpoint, this is low-risk for Indiana, but the reward could be meaningful in stabilizing a deeply shaken guard rotation.
From a basketball standpoint, the shift makes a lot of sense. McClung is exciting — his athleticism, his dunking pedigree, his highlight‑reel potential — but when you’re missing so many reliable rotation guards, you need someone who can run the offense, protect the ball, and make high-percentage decisions. Morris fits that bill. The Pacers, crippled by injury, likely see him as someone who can come in right now and contribute without creating more headaches.
For McClung, the move is a disappointing one. After years of being on the fringes, he finally got that standard deal, only for it to be short-lived. (SI) He averaged 6.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals over his three-game sample, shooting 38.9 percent from the field, 20 percent from three, and 75 percent on free throws. (indysports.today) It’s possible that the Pacers never truly saw him as a long-term piece but more as a swing option — someone they could experiment with given their depleted guard depth, but who could be cut without much cost if things didn’t work out.
To be clear, this isn’t necessarily a judgment on McClung’s talent or potential. He’s shown an ability to perform at a high level in the G League — he was G League MVP — and has built a reputation for being fearless and explosive. (SI) But the NBA is a different beast, and for Indiana right now, what matters most is immediate help and consistency.
Morris, on the other hand, is exactly that. He’s not going to wow you with high-flying dunks, but he’s a steady lead guard who can come in and help orchestrate an offense that’s in flux. He’s one of those players who may not overwhelm the box score but whose presence can steady a shaky ship, especially when other guards are out injured or underperforming. His experience and decision-making likely give Indiana a better chance to survive this injury crisis without completely falling apart.
Strategically, it’s a smart pivot. The Pacers apparently lost confidence in McClung’s ability to help them right now, and Morris gives them a proven option. It’s a reminder that in the NBA, talent isn’t always enough — fit and reliability matter just as much, especially when your roster is thin and you need someone you can trust with the ball.
For fans, this move may feel like a letdown if they were rooting for McClung’s underdog story, but it’s also understandable. In a season where the Pacers’ backcourt depth is being tested like never before, bringing in a veteran like Morris is a way to shore things up and keep the team from collapsing under pressure.
In the bigger picture, this transaction reflects the Pacers’ approach: aggressive risk‑taking when needed, but also pragmatic course corrections. They tried something bold with McClung, but when given a chance to bring in steady, veteran leadership, they didn’t hesitate. It’s a balancing act between potential and reliability — and in their current situation, reliability won out.
Ultimately, the waiver of McClung and the signing of Morris tells us a lot about Indiana’s roster priorities and where they are in their season. They’re not just looking to develop young, athletic talent: they’re fighting to stay afloat through an injury crisis, and they need players who can contribute immediately and smartly. Monte Morris may not be flashy, but he might just be exactly what the Pacers need right now.
