Sacramento Kings star Zach LaVine teases what promises to be a star-studded Slam Dunk Contest in next year’s NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles to be hosted by the Clippers.
“Thinking I might have too again…,” LaVine replied to Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant‘s post on X, challenging him and Aaron Gordon to do it once again.
Lavine won back-to-back in 2015 and 2016, including a duel for the ages with Gordon.
Morant kicked off the NBA stars’ strong interest in participating for next year’s competition following Mac McClung’s third straight triumph on Saturday, Feb. 15, which made him the first player in NBA history to become a Slam Dunk three-peat champion.
“Mac might make me decide to dunk,” Morant posted on X during MacClung’s perfect run in the contest.
Gordon has yet to respond.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Wants to Join Slam Dunk Contest
Before Morant could get LaVine and Gordon’s response, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo responded to the challenge.
“If you do it, I’ll do it with you,” Antetokounmpo posted on X, tweet-quoting Morant’s earlier post.
In a deleted post by the NBA’s X account, Antetokounmpo doubled down on his intention to join the next Slam Dunk contest.
“Next year, I’m here,” Antetokounmpo said.
Giannis is submitting early interest for the #ATTSlamDunk Contest in 2026 👀 pic.twitter.com/rhY6zHtWN0
— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2025
Antetokounmpo said he just needs time to prepare.
“I just gotta warm up for three weeks prior to the contest,” he wrote on a separate X post.
Mac McClung Flattered to Draw NBA Stars’ Attention
McClung admitted he went into Saturday night’s contest thinking it would be his last. But after the NBA stars showed interest in challenging him, McClung might reconsider it.
“I’m flattered,” McClung told reporters after his perfect run. “Those guys are so fun to watch. Ja, I love watching him. I think he’s incredible. He’d be awesome in the Dunk Contest. I’d love to see that.
“As far as me, I was probably thinking about hanging it up after this one, but I don’t know. I never want to say never.”
McClung saved the Slam Dunk contest.
And now that it’s gotten the star’s attention, McClung isn’t sure if the contest needs tweaking to make it more exciting.
“I don’t know. That’s not really up to me,” he told reporters. “I think the contest is a beautiful thing. I know people probably want bigger stars in it, and I would love to see that. But I think it’s important for the people in it to want to do it. I think Steph [Castle], Matas [Buzelis], Andre [Jackson], they all wanted to be here. That meant a lot to me, and the interviews and stuff like that.
“This contest is a special thing. We all love when we see the Vince Carters, the Zach LaVines. It’s a special thing that I think should be really appreciated.”
Kings’ Zach LaVine Teases Future Showdowns After NBA Stars’ Challenging Posts