2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Odds & Predictions: Bryant, Richardson & More (Feb. 14)

The 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest has been a staple of the NBA’s All-Star Weekend for years. It originated with the ABA back in 1976, but it didn’t take hold in the NBA until 1984. Since then, it has become one of the most anticipated events of the season, and fans can, of course, bet on Slam Dunk Contest odds.

(Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

It has often been criticized over the years for a lack of star power, and the winner has often been disputed, but that hasn’t stopped us from watching it. Oh, and it hasn’t stopped us from betting on it either. Let’s go over the odds for this year’s competition.

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2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Betting Odds (FanDuel)

Here are the odds for the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest (via FanDuel):

• Carter Bryant (San Antonio Spurs): +180
• Jaxson Hayes (Los Angeles Lakers): +250
• Keshad Johnson (Miami Heat): +320
• Jase Richardson (Orlando Magic): +350

Three-time defending champ, Max McClung (Orlando Magic), is not participating this year, which guarantees that a new champ will be crowned this year.

The contest is pretty straightforward. All four players will take part in the first round, performing two dunks for points. Players will have 90 seconds to make a maximum of three attempts. The two players with the highest scores will move on to the Finals. In the Finals, the format will be the same: each player will perform two dunks and have 90 seconds to make up to three attempts; the highest score wins.

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NBA Slam Dunk Contest: Analysis

So, who will the new champ be since McClung is out? That’s not an easy question to answer. This year’s contestants include two rookies, Richardson and Bryant, one guard (Richardson), two forwards (Bryant and Johnson), and a center (Hayes).

Johnson is the only one of the group who was not drafted and has spent time in the G-League (21 total games over two seasons), but has some experience in the NBA (37 total games; 16 last season and 21 this season). Bryant and Richardson were both first-round picks in the last draft.

Hayes, a first-round pick of the Pelicans in 2019, is the only one to play for multiple teams and to start a game. None of the four are receiving regular or significant minutes this season.

History does not look favorably on centers. Hayes is the fourth one to ever compete and the first since Dwight Howard in 2020. Guards have won the competition the most (24) and have dominated it in recent years, winning seven of the last ten. Forwards dominated the early years, winning 15.

2026 Slam Dunk Contest: My Picks & Predictions

• Carter Bryant +180 / Jase Richardson +350

Hayes is the favorite in some books and considered the favorite by many, despite the lack of history for centers in the contest. It could have something to do with him playing more, and we’ve seen him dunk much more than the rest of the field (who have 20 total dunks in NBA games this season).

But Hayes is more of a power dunker, and that is not what typically wins the Slam Dunk Contest. No, it tends to go to players who are athletic and can win the crowd over. With that in mind, I have to lean towards the young, athletic forward from San Antonio, Carter Bryant.

However, Richardson fits the bill as well and has an ace in the hole: his dad, Jason Richardson (2002 and 2003), is a two-time Slam Dunk Contest winner. If he were to recreate his dad’s winning dunks, I could see the judges leaning in his direction because it would make for a great storyline.