Orlando Magic legend Tracy McGrady remains one of the most iconic players in franchise history, known for his elite scoring and smooth playmaking. Recently, the seven-time NBA All-Star participated in The Make Shift Project’s viral “$15 Challenge,” an exercise where participants build the ultimate NBA player using different skills—each with a price ranging from $1 to $5. True to his unpredictable nature, McGrady made some surprising selections, including picking Stephen Curry over Shaquille O’Neal for shooting and Nikola Jokić over Michael Jordan for passing.
The challenge’s first category was shooting, where the options included Shaquille O’Neal ($1), Yao Ming ($1), Tracy McGrady himself ($3), Damian Lillard ($4), and Stephen Curry ($5). At first, McGrady confidently chose Shaq—until he was reminded the category was about shooting, not size or dominance. Laughing at his mistake, he quickly pivoted: “Oh, shooting? Give me $5 Steph.”
For passing, McGrady had to choose between Clint Capela ($1), Carmelo Anthony ($2), Michael Jordan ($3), LeBron James ($4), and Nikola Jokić ($5). Without hesitation, he selected Jokić, recognizing the Denver Nuggets superstar’s elite playmaking ability.
Then came handles, and this is where McGrady’s choices took an unexpected turn. The available players were Zaza Pachulia ($1), Steve Novak ($2), Tim Duncan ($3), Steve Francis ($4), and Kyrie Irving ($5). Rather than selecting the flashy and widely regarded Kyrie Irving, McGrady opted for Duncan—known for his NBA fundamentals but not his dribbling skills.
Michael Jordan stands next to Tracy McGrady at the 2003 NBA All-Star Game. Beside them are Vince Carter, Ben Wallace, and Jermaine O’Neal.
For defense, he was left with just $2 to spend, forcing him to pick between Sister Jean ($1), Trae Young ($2), Draymond Green ($3), Gary Payton ($4), and Victor Wembanyama ($5). With limited options, he had no choice but to select Trae Young—widely criticized for his defensive struggles—a pick that immediately became a talking point.
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McGrady’s selections and his own playing style
Examining his choices, McGrady’s approach to the challenge reflected his appreciation for skill and basketball IQ over raw athleticism. His preference for Curry’s shooting, Jokić’s passing, and Duncan’s fundamentals aligned with how he played the game—an elite scorer who relied on finesse, vision, and efficiency rather than brute force.
While McGrady’s $15 Challenge selections may not have built the most well-rounded player, they undoubtedly sparked discussion. Whether he was trolling for laughs or offering genuine insight, his picks provided a fascinating look into how one of the game’s most gifted scorers views basketball’s evolving landscape.
