Report: Jaylen Brown, Mac McClung, Jacob Toppin, Jaquez Jr. Likely to Do Dunk Contest
New York Knicks forward Jacob Toppin will reportedly participate in this year's Slam Dunk Contest, according to Chris Haynes of TNT Sports.
Per both that report and Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the contest is "expected" to include Toppin, defending champion and G Leaguer Mac McClung, Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown.
Toppin, 23, is on a two-way contract and has spent the majority of the 2023-24 season with the G League's Westchester Knicks. He's made just three NBA appearances this season and hasn't registered any stats in his rookie campaign.
His brother, Obi Toppin, won the 2022 Slam Dunk Contest.
McClung, 25, had one of the most memorable performances in Slam Dunk Contest history last year, seemingly revitalizing interest in an event that needed a signature performance.
He hasn't been able to turn that showing into a lengthy stint in the NBA, however, with just four NBA appearances in his career and none this season. But he'll be the heavy favorite to repeat as champion, and it will be fascinating to see if he can concoct enough unique dunks to top last year's epic performance.
Jaquez, 22, is having a solid rookie season for the Heat, averaging 13.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists across 44 total appearances (15 starts).
Finally, the 27-year-old Brown will inject some much-needed star power into the event. The three-time All-Star is having another excellent season, averaging 22.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
"When I first used to watch it, all the best players in the whole NBA used to compete in it," former Slam Dunk Contest winner Spud Webb told Nick Raffoul of Basketball Insiders last year. "First, they probably had more pride and wanted to compete or wanted to make the NBA better. Now the guys get paid so much money, they probably don't care about the Dunk Contest. Probably don't want to lose, that's what I think."
Brown, to his credit, is potentially ending a long drought of stars in the competition.
