All-Star Weekend 2025: NBA Dunk Contest Odds and Breakdown

The much maligned NBA All-Star Weekend is nearly here. If there is one event more heavily criticized than the weekend itself it’s the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest. Except this year is going to be different. There are some young stars with bright futures in this competition. Call me crazy but this event might buck the trend and be more than the lacklustre showings of recent years.

All-Star Weekend 2025: NBA Dunk Contest

The Dunk contest has been a marquee event for the NBA since 1984 when Larry Nance won the inaugural event. The event then transcended Michael Jordan into the upper echelons of the sporting world. There is no Air Jordan without the dunk contest. In recent years, many have argued the event has been taken over by the three point competition. Personally, the event is scrutinized because we all want to see something awe-inspiring. The harsh critique comes from a place yearning to see something monumental.

Can the 2025 NBA Dunk Contest end the last few years of misery?

25 years ago today, Vince Carter beat Steve Francis & his cousin, Tracy McGrady, in one of the greatest NBA Dunk Contests ever!pic.twitter.com/DEp4c3UVaW

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 12, 2025

NBA Dunk Contest: Odds and Breakdown

To preface, and not to knock these players, but Jeremy Evans, Terrance Ross, Glenn Robinson III, and Hamidou Diallo all won the NBA Dunk Contest recently. The association needs for this years winner to be a star in the future. We need a Dwight Howard or Blake Griffin or a Donovan Mitchell type of winner this year to bring back the aura of the event.

“It’s time for the Dunk Contest.”

Mac McClung: pic.twitter.com/GjNpTxYnFS

— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) January 29, 2025

Mac McClung, Orlando Magic/G-League (-200)

He is going for the three-peat and I suspect he shares the same fate as the Kansas City Chiefs. Mac McClung is an incredible athlete. That cannot be doubted.

However, he’s not an everyday NBA player. I don’t understand how the league can think this is a good look. McClung memes are littered on the timeline as the Dunk Contest approaches. I haven’t heard any fans reminiscing about his prior two wins. This was a nice story but this might be the last time we see McClung at All-Star Weekend.

THE BACK-TO-BACK CHAMP WANTS MORE…

Watch Mac McClung’s 1st #ATTSlamDunk win in 2023!

He’ll go for the three-peat on Saturday (2/15) at 8pm/et on TNT 🍿 pic.twitter.com/xdxWOv0A8y

— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) February 10, 2025

Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs (+100)

Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant. The Spurs rookie isn’t near any of those players yet. The important element to note here is that Castle is a two guard in the traditional sense. His body type is comparable to the aforementioned guards as well. Castle is at the right combination of size and verticality that surprises and shocks. Some bigs can make the dunk look too easy. Stephon Castle will not have this problem at all. When he glides through the air it is effortless, smooth, but still jarring.

Castle is a in-game dunker, like Russell Westbrook, but I am hoping he brings some creativity to match his ferocity.

This dunk from Steph Castle last night was NASTY. 😳

Look where he jumps from off of two feet… that explosiveness is ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/nDVZN8Oaxv

— Brett Hanfling (@Brett_Hanfling) February 6, 2025

Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls (+575)

Matas Buzelis in an incredible leaper and Billy Donovan has even increased his playing time since former Dunk Contest winner Zach Lavine was traded away. What hurts the Chicago Bulls player is his size. Listed at 6’10, it will be hard to get the judges off their feet unless he can really fly above the rim. Which he can do. If Buzelis can show off his incredible wing span while his head is at the rim then he has a chance. It sounds weird but what makes him stand out from the field is his go-go-gadget arms.

It also bodes well for Matas that he is no stranger to Dunk Contests having participated in them extensively for years.

Matas Buzelis will be in the NBA dunk contest!

First Bulls player to be in the dunk contest since Tyrus Thomas in 2007 pic.twitter.com/Gp7cr1s4Vm

— Die-Hard Chicago Bulls Fans (@DieHardCBfans) January 21, 2025

Andre Jackson Jr., Milwaukee Bucks (+600)

Jackson Jr. has the size and verticality that can match Castle and McClung. Does he have the creativity? The longest shot on the board has a chance if he can find creativity. He is known for powerful in-game dunks but he will need theatrics. My biggest worry is that he won’t have the same lift without gathering in transition. I worry he can only do it during a game when his motor is going. The lights are bright during the NBA Dunk Contest and verticality does not simply equate to a good performance.

Andre Jackson Jr.’s head was ABOVE THE RIM on this putback slam 😳 pic.twitter.com/omVUf3TvTJ

— NBA (@NBA) March 13, 2024

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