2024 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Odds, Prediction: McClung Favoured to Repeat

Vince Carter’s “It’s over!” dunk. Dwight Howard’s Superman leap. Aaron Gordon jumping over a mascot. Blake Griffin jumping over a car. Michael Jordan holding the ball with one hand and soaring. If there is one event during NBA All-Star weekend that gives the game itself a run for its money, it has to be the Slam Dunk competition. It’s brazen, it’s bold, it’s awesome.

It’s back for a new edition. Who’s involved this year? Who will win? Let’s discuss!

Don’t forget to check out the NBA odds for tons of All-Star Game action.

NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contestants

Mac McClung, Reigning Champion

A mere 12 months ago, as we entered the last edition of the NBA All-Star weekend, most people reacted to the name Mac McClung with “Who?!”

Not today, especially as the -225 favourite and defending champion.

That wasn’t anyone’s fault, per se. The Philadelphia 76ers had just signed the young buck to a two-way contract. He represented the Sixers that night during the Slam Dunk contest, but in truth, he hardly played for the team. The 25-year-old is currently in the G League, dunking for the Osceola Magic. Granted, it’s a bit odd for someone struggling so much to keep a spot on an NBA roster to feature in one of the marquee events on the NBA calendar, but did you see what he did last year?

The Georgetown product skyrocketed to notoriety in the 2023 edition with lightning-fast, supremely powerful slams, a few of which involved twirling in the air with grace. His performance blew the roof off. League superstars in attendance were caught on camera with their jaws dropped. Can he replicate or even improve on that success?

Jacob Toppin, New York Knicks

This year’s “Who?!?” entry in the Slam Dunk contest. The little brother to Pacers star Obi Toppin, Jacob has seen action in only five regular season games this year. He spends most of his time with the Westchester Knicks of the G League. And yet he has the second-best odds at +500.

Much like the elder Toppin, he has size and slickness in his game. The highlights available online of his efforts with the developmental Knicks feature some brazen under-the-basket slams from the baseline. His dunk style is akin to fellow competitor Jalen Brown’s but looks more eye-catching because he’s so tall.

Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

Brown was a relatively late addition to the Slam Dunk roster. With a +525 price tag, his inclusion is perhaps the most intriguing. Brown’s game is as much about shooting and playmaking as it is putting defenders on posters. His chemistry with big man Kristaps Porzingis this season has been remarkable, with the latter, in fact, often slamming home buckets thanks to dimes from Brown.

One thing is for sure. Jalen Brown goes for power. His dunks are displays of physical prowess. When he decides to make a run to the basket for a score, it’s often a one-hand, take-no-prisoners slam. Nothing especially fancy, but forceful enough to make defenders second guess their ability to stop him the next time around.

Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat

The newest addition to Heat Culture is Jaime Jaquez Jr. He has the lowest odds at +800. The 2023 first-round pick out of UCLA has been a brilliant fit with this Miami side that necessitated two things. First, it had to make up for some offseason departures (Max Strus) and the fact that some of its cast is aging (Kevin Love, the recently traded Kyle Lowry).

Jaquez is thriving so far through his first half-season in the NBA, scoring 12.9 points per game in 29.5 minutes. His height also helps him average 3.9 boards a night. But that height is also good for slamming and jamming, and he’s put the finishing touches on a ton of alley-oops. Fast break offensive chances have finished with Jaquez Jr. receiving passes while gliding through the air for highlight-reel-worthy scores. One wonders if this is the sort of style that will come into play during the contest.

NBA Slam Dunk Contest Prediction

Something tells us Mac McClung won’t replicate his bravura showing of last year. He’ll put on a good show, but how does one top what he did in 2023? For Jaylen Brown and Jaime Jaquez Jr., it will be about what they can bring to the table given their admittedly impressive if somewhat limited styles.

The wild card of the bunch is Jacob Toppin. As we alluded to, he could be this year’s McClung, a participant no one knows well but graced with uncanny dunking skills. If he can replicate and get creative with what he has shown in the G League, Toppin just might walk away as the winner.

Jacob Toppin wins the Slam Dunk contest.