SAN ANTONIO — It wasn’t your typical player transaction.
On Feb. 14, 2023, the Sixers waived Julian Champagnie, a 22-year-old rookie on a two-way contract. It wasn’t because of poor play, a roster crunch, or a blockbuster trade, it was to create a roster spot for Mac McClung, who needed to be on an NBA contract to compete in the league’s Slam Dunk contest.
“Back then, being 22 … I thought it was over,” Champagnie told Sports Illustrated earlier this week. “I ain’t going to lie to you.”
McClung went on to win the first of three Dunk Contest titles, but Champagnie will go down as the true winner in the transaction.
Two days after the Sixers waived him, he signed with the Spurs. At the time, they were in the middle of a 22-win season under Gregg Popovich and still three months away from winning the lottery that landed them Victor Wembanyama.
