Over the 2026 NBA All-Star Break, the annual Slam Dunk Contest received yet another subpar set of reviews in what was previously the league’s flagship event of the weekend. While in recent years stars have not opted in to the Dunk Contest, one player in particular, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, has consistently been criticized for his lack of participation in the event.
While James has discussed on several occasions potentially competing in the Dunk Contest, the league’s all-time leading scorer has never competed in the event. However, according to James’ agent, Rich Paul, it’s not for a lack of consideration.
Speaking on his podcast, Game Over, Paul revealed that James had contemplated competing in the event, despite never actually committing to it over his 23-year-career.
“He actually wanted to do it,” Paul said. “There is a benefit to doing it. Not even winning it, just to do it…At first he was excited about doing it…He did feel that responsibility to do it at one time, I know that for a fact.”
James has a history of strong in-game dunks throughout his illustrious career, but has come under fire in years past for not competing as it has lost its luster ever since the famous 2016 Dunk Contest between Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine.
Rich Paul On LeBron Not Doing The Dunk Contest
Paul’s co-host, Max Kellerman, said that James potentially never competed in the Dunk Contest due to Michael Jordan’s success in the event. With the constant comparison between the two, Kellerman asked if James never opted in to the Dunk Contest due to a fear of losing, and yet another mark of his career not matching up to his ‘GOAT‘ rival.
“It had nothing to do with Mike,” Paul said.
Kellerman added that there would be limited upside for James to compete in the Dunk Contest, specifically as it relates to a career comparison with Jordan, as he won the event twice. If James wins it, he only matches Jordan’s success in the event, but with a loss, it looks worse on his career resume compared to Jordan’s.
Yet still, Paul doesn’t think James not competing in the Dunk Contest is a blemish on his career. James has made 22 consecutive All-Star games, the most ever, and he claimed that, with all the responsibilities across the weekend, James had no obligation to compete in the event.
“I wouldn’t consider it a ‘miss’, I consider it something that would have been exciting for us to see it at a certain point,” Paul added. “It’s not a ‘miss‘ because there is not obligation to it…He felt the responsibility of All-Star Weekend, he’s always seen himself as a partner with the league, but I don’t think it’s a miss.”
In a similar sense of the argument, Paul claimed that as James was the face of the NBA, there would have been major upside to him competing in the event. Yet still, whether it be injuries around the time of the All-Star break, other obligations, or an overall sense of not feeling the urge to compete and win the event, he never chose to compete.
“Look, I think, again, there’s a demand that says you are the face of the league. The demand for his presence in things like the dunk contest exuded just that. I mean, when you talk about the league, when you talk about brand sponsors, where you talk about fans, viewership, if he joins the dunk contest, it’s pandemonium,” Paul said. “But then at a certain point, you realize and you’re just like, ‘You know what? This is probably not gonna be something that I actually do.‘”
Even at age 41, James continues to be a top-tier in-game dunker. When asked by reporters in a late-January game in which he had three big dunks, James gave a blunt, ‘No chance’ response to whether he felt those dunks constituted a Dunk Contest appearance.
LeBron James’ Lakers Future, Cavaliers Return Rumors
Amid Paul’s comments about James never doing the Dunk Contest, the bigger story surrounding the oldest player in the league is his uncertain future with the Lakers, and subsequent rumors of a potential return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
James is set to be a free agent this summer, and while he hasn’t publicly commented about his plans after this season, there appears to be an indication that he will not return to the Lakers next year, as reported by Shams Charania, Brian Windhorst, Jake Fischer, and many other league insiders.
Most recently, rumors of a Cavaliers return have heated up, specifically from comments made by Windhorst on an ESPN Cleveland radio appearance. He said that there is a 99% chance James would go back to the Cavaliers to close out his career, if he is willing to take either a minimum or mid-level contract, as the team already has the highest payroll in the NBA, and can’t afford to offer him anything close to a max contract.
Windy notes that LeBron would have to probably accept a minimum contract in Cleveland.
“He would only come at a discount. The only way the Cavs could add him would be to get him to play at either the minimum, or do some things to shave some salary to open the mid-level exception,” Windhorst said. “If he’s able and willing, and is willing to accept that money, I think it’s 99%.”
Dave McMenamin previously reported that Cleveland would be open to a return from James to close out his career where it started. However, it would require the superstar to decide between furthering his career earnings or getting one more title shot in the Eastern Conference on an already strong roster.
“From the Cavs’ perspective, it’s simple,” Windhorst added. “They say to LeBron, ‘If you would like to play for us, we’d love to have you, this is what we have to offer. We can offer you (a minimum or mid-level contract), and being in Cleveland.‘”
For now, it is uncertain what James’ future holds, but signs point to him leaving the Lakers after this season. Retirement is still on the table, but as the days and weeks go on, a Cavaliers return feels more and more likely.
Rich Paul Reveals Surprising LeBron James News Amid Lakers Exit Rumors