Lakers' LeBron James Has No 'Regrets' About Never Competing in NBA Slam Dunk Contest

LeBron James isn't concerned about his lack of participation in the Slam Dunk Contest throughout his 22 years in the NBA.

"There's no part of me that has regrets about not doing it," James told reporters on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar has showcased his impressive athleticism by throwing down countless high-flying dunks throughout his career, but he's never suited up in the contest during All-Star festivities.

James has flirted with participating in the event several times, but it never came to fruition.

He publicly announced that he'd be a contestant during the 2009 Dunk Contest, but he didn't end up competing the following year (h/t Candace Buckner of The Washington Post).

James said in 2018 that there were "multiple years" he seriously considered entering the dunk contest including the 2005-06 season, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes. Minor injuries prevented him from competing, though.

The four-time MVP has shown that he can put together a variety of athletic finishes at the rim during games, with 2,236 dunks under his belt during his career.

The league's biggest stars choosing to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest hasn't been a common occurrence of late.

The 2025 event didn't lack for theatrics, though, with serious aerial acrobatics from contestants, including G League guard Mac McClung and San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle.

The competition appeared to inspire several star players, with Ja Morant and Giannis Antetokounmpo hinting they could entertain participating in 2026:

As for James, his focus seems to be primarily on helping the Lakers secure their fifth playoff appearance in six years. The NBA's all-time leading scorer is averaging 24.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game this season.