NBA Slam Dunk Contest 2016: Full Preview and Odds for Every Participant

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest got a shot in the arm from Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Zach LaVine in 2015, and he's back for 2016 looking to defend his crown. LaVine caught the world by surprise in 2015, but he brought the house down with his impressive array of dunks, even donning a Michael Jordan Space Jam jersey (where can I get one?) and assaulting the rim.

The wiry second-year guard of out UCLA is going to have to step his game up in Toronto in 2016 since he set the bar so high last year. He also has a tough group of competitors in Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic, Will Barton of the Denver Nuggets and Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons.

Here's a look at our estimated odds for each participant to win Saturday's contest. TNT will broadcast the All-Star festivities at the Air Canada Centre starting at 8 p.m. ET, with the Slam Dunk Contest being the third event of the night:

Participant	Odds
Zach LaVine	-180
Will Barton	+200
Aaron Gordon	+250
Andre Drummond	+400

Will Barton

A relative unknown toiling on a potential lottery team in Denver, Will Barton is poised to make his name known to NBA fans. Some may remember Barton as the guy who dropped 72 points in a Pro-Am game the summer before his rookie season. 

Barton (6'6", 175 lbs) has a similar build to LaVine, and he has displayed similarly explosive dunking ability as well.

A former second-round pick of the Portland Trail Blazers, Barton has long arms and freak athleticism that make him perfect for this contest. He will have to bring it to unseat LaVine, but this guy could open some eyes come All-Star Weekend.

Aaron Gordon

Aaron Gordon has been waiting his entire life to be in this event. The first time Gordon, the fourth pick in the 2014 draft, dunked on a regulation hoop was in seventh grade, according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. 

Dunking in seventh grade is impressive enough. Now Gordon will take the stage in his second season and look to earn a reputation as one of the game's top-shelf dunkers.

At first glance, the 20-year-old reminds you of Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin. Gordon (6'9", 220 lbs) is slightly smaller, but he has the same type of athleticism Griffin possesses that is perfect for the Slam Dunk Contest.

Don't expect Gordon to jump over any Kias, but he will come in ready to compete and put on a show, telling Robbins, "You just approach it by having fun. This is a fun competition, and it’s nothing to be taken too seriously. I can’t wait to go up to Toronto and I can’t wait to enjoy this entire experience.”

Andre Drummond

His dunks aren't always flashy, but boy are they powerful. Andre Drummond is one of the most dominant young big men in the game, and he will look to follow in the footsteps of Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard by winning the dunk contest.

We have him as the longest shot to win because the other contestants are more explosive dunkers, whereas Drummond thrives on finishing lobs and putbacks. He may have something up his sleeve, but unless Drummond dunks on a 12-foot rim a la Howard, he'll likely be outclassed by his competitors.

Zach LaVine

That leaves Zach LaVine. You're privy to his dynamic dunking by now, but what is he going to do to meet expectations this year? He's not taking anyone by surprise, so people will come in presuming he is going to bring the house down.

And what better way to do that than by channeling one of the most famous T-dot dunkers, Vince Carter? If LaVine throws on a Raptors Vinsanity jersey and puts his elbow in the rim, consider it a wrap.