NBA legend Tracy McGrady recently joined The Make Shift Project to take on the viral “$15 Challenge” — a fan-favorite exercise where participants are given $15 to build the ultimate NBA player using different skill sets priced from $1 to $5.
But in true T-Mac fashion, the seven-time All-Star didn’t play it safe. Instead, he leaned into some outrageous picks that had fans laughing and scratching their heads at the same time.
The first category was shooting, and McGrady initially misunderstood the assignment.
“For $1, you get Shaq. $2, Yao Ming. $3, Tracy McGrady. $4, Damian Lillard. $5, Steph Curry,” the host said.
“I want Shaq,” McGrady said confidently — until he was reminded the category was for shooting, not size or dominance.
“Oh, shooting?” McGrady laughed. “Give me $5 Steph.”
It was a swift pivot, and the right one. Steph Curry, the greatest shooter of all time, is the obvious $5 pick here, and T-Mac made no mistake in locking him in once he got his bearings.
Next up was passing, where the options included Clint Capela ($1), Carmelo Anthony ($2), Michael Jordan ($3), LeBron James ($4), and Nikola Jokic ($5).
McGrady didn’t hesitate: “Jokic.”
Again, a logical and modern choice. Jokic is arguably the greatest passing big man in league history and a three-time MVP who sees the floor like a point guard. With Curry’s shooting and Jokic’s vision, McGrady’s build was off to a strong start.
Then came handles, and this is where things took a turn into T-Mac territory.
For $1, the player was Zaza Pachulia. $2 gave you Steve Novak. $3 was Tim Duncan. $4, Steve Francis. $5, Kyrie Irving — arguably the most skilled ball handler in NBA history.
McGrady? He took Duncan.
Not exactly known for breaking ankles, Duncan was as fundamentally sound as they come — but not the flashiest ball handler by any stretch. Still, McGrady committed to the choice, leaving him with just $2 remaining.
So for defense, the options were: Sister Jean ($1), Trae Young ($2), Draymond Green ($3), Gary Payton ($4), and Victor Wembanyama ($5).
With only $2 left in the bank, McGrady had no choice.
“Give me Trae Young.”
So, to recap, Tracy McGrady’s ultimate $15 Hall of Famer includes:
Shooting: Steph Curry ($5)
Passing: Nikola Jokic ($5)
Handles: Tim Duncan ($3)
Defense: Trae Young ($2)
It’s an oddly constructed Frankenstein of an NBA legend — elite shooting and playmaking mixed with a lack of dribbling flash and nearly nonexistent defense.
But that’s what made the segment fun. It wasn’t about building the perfect player — it was about having fun, clowning the categories, and giving fans another reminder that Tracy McGrady’s sense of humor is just as entertaining as his game once was.
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