NBA Rumors: Aaron Gordon Joins Howard, Jones in 2020 Slam Dunk Contest

Aaron Gordon is reportedly making his return to the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Orlando Magic forward has committed to the 2020 contest.

Gordon participated in the event in 2016 and 2017. He lost a classic battle with Zach LaVine in 2016, though some consider it the most controversial result in dunk contest history. Glenn Robinson III beat out Gordon in 2017.

He joins Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard and Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. among the participants. One more player will be named to the event, set to take place Feb. 15 in Chicago.

Gordon has been publicly talking about doing the 2020 dunk contest since last summer. He tweeted last July he had a dream about participating in Chicago and told TMZ Sports he wanted to compete against LaVine and Zion Williamson.

"I think so, it's starting to look like that. It's something I want to do, so we'll see how it goes, man," Gordon said. "It's really up to the NBA, but we're gonna do it."

Eric Woodyard of ESPN reported LaVine has been invited to the contest but has not yet committed. LaVine is reportedly more likely to enter the event if he's selected as an Eastern Conference All-Star. Reserves will be revealed Thursday night, so we may get a better idea of the likelihood of his participation then.

If LaVine enters, this year's contest will have three of the most memorable contestants in the event's history. Howard ascended to superstardom when he won the 2008 dunk contest and came back the following year in a loss to Nate Robinson. 

LaVine would be participating for a chance to tie Robinson with the most dunk contest victories in NBA history (three).