The NBA Slam Dunk Contest has gotten mixed reviews over the past decade. Many fans are upset about the lack of star power in the competition, reminiscing on previous contests with star-studded lineups.
On the other hand, the new-aged dunk contest has given some young, fresh faces an opportunity to make a name for themselves. Mac McClung, for instance, became a household name after winning three straight titles from 2023-2025.
McClung won’t be participating in this year’s contest, as four new players take the field for the exciting Saturday night event. Below is a list of all the competitors and the betting odds for each on DraftKings Sportsbook.
2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest odds on DraftKings Sportsbook
Jaxson Hayes, Carter Bryant, Keshad Johnson and Jase Richardson are the four participants in the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
Hayes and Bryant enter as the favorites to win the event, with both players holding +175 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. Johnson is third with +450, and Richardson is fourth at +500.
Contrary to previous years, there isn’t a clear favorite entering the contest. This is the first time each of these players are participating, and none of them have extensive dunk highlights in the NBA. Hayes has the most at 75, which ranks 19th in the league, but centers have historically struggled compared to guards and forwards in this event.
Bryant, a rookie, only has nine dunks this year, tying himself with sophomore forward Johnson. Even further behind is Richardson, who has just four dunks all year. These players have showcased their athleticism, but their NBA minutes and offensive touches have limited how many dunks they’ve recorded.
Although Richardson has the fewest dunks of the four participants, he has family history with the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. His father, Jason Richardson, is a two-time winner in 2002 and 2003 with the Golden State Warriors. Perhaps Jace brings his father out for a dunk, or he dons the infamous Bay Area blues that Jason wore in the early 2000s.