NBA Slam Dunk Contest 2026 Top Contenders, Predictions for Exciting Event

The field for the 2026 NBA Dunk Contest will do nothing to dispel the notion that this event struggles to attract basketball's biggest names and brightest stars.

It could still be one heck of a good show on Saturday night. Remember, star power and dunking prowess aren't necessarily related.

So, while the names on the backs of the jerseys may not mean much to casual fans, that fact may also not mean much if these players (literally) rise to the occasion. If someone is defying gravity and rocking the rim, does it really matter if you'd recognize them away from the court?

After introducing the field—perhaps for the first time to a lot of you—we'll weigh their credentials and play the prognostication game to prematurely (but definitely accurately) crown the predicted winner.

Meet the Field

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NBA fame is, relatively speaking, totally absent from this batch of bouncers.

With Detroit Pistons All-Star Jalen Duren pulling out of the event due to a recent knee injury, these high-flying hoopers read like a real who's who of Who He Play For? candidates: Jaxson Hayes, Jase Richardson (Duren's replacement), Carter Bryant and Keshad Johnson.

Hayes might be the most recognizable of the bunch, based almost entirely on the fact he swims inside of the Los Angeles Lakers' fish bowl. Richardon's name should ring familiar for long-time observers, as his father, Jason Richardson, won this event in 2002 and 2003. Bryant is a rookie wing for the San Antonio Spurs, and Johnson is a second-year swingman for the Miami Heat.

Some will inevitably bemoan the lack of headliners in the headline event of All-Star Saturday, but these players were all picked for legitimate, rim-rocking reasons.

The Early Eye Test

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Curious to see how much bounce and flair Richardson inherited from his father? Well, we all are. His NBA ticket was punched less by absurd bounce than it was advanced feel and shot-making. He hasn't played a ton of minutes for the Magic or finished even a handful of dunks for them (four in 38 games). Still, maybe his dad can share a few tricks of the thunderous throwdown trade.

Hayes has the longest track record and deepest dunking resume of the lot. He has elite athleticism for a 7-footer, but it takes a lot for a big man to win this event. Still, there are enough flashes of both aerial antics and creativity to wonder whether he might buck that trend.

Johnson arguably fills out the ideal frame for a dunker as a 6'6", 225-pounder. He largely lives around the rim, too. Of his 42 career field goals, 29 came within three feet of the basket (including 16 dunks). He's no stranger to explosion, and if he finds some unique ways to display that, he could be a serious threat.

Finally, Bryant is basically a 20-year-old toolshed. He pairs enviable length (6'6" with a near-7-foot wingspan) with huge hops, checking two critical boxes for elite dunking. If he finds flair with his finishing, he'll put on a show.

Prediction Time

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There's such anonymity with this foursome that they all have some mystery-box feel about them. It's tempting to just toss these names on a dart board, let one fly and then just tell you all where it landed.

Assuming you're looking for a bit more analysis than that, I'd lean toward Hayes and Johnson making it through to the final round. While All-Star Saturday will be held in the Los Angeles Clippers home, Hayes could still have a decent batch of purple-and-gold supporters behind him. Johnson, who hails from Oakland and started his college career at San Diego State, should be plenty comfortable back in his home state, too.

Set that aside, though, and these are, for my money, for the strongest dunkers in the field. While this event is hardly catered toward centers, bouncy bigs can still wow the crowd with the right blend of sizzle and showmanship. And if Johnson finds a way to harness his power in aesthetically pleasing ways, he can hammer his way to the championship round.

From there, it might come down to whichever player avoids a miss. If they convert all of their attempts on the first try, though, then it's probably a pick 'em. I'll pick Johnson, though, as he should have enough hang time to really wow the fans on his way to the rim.