Mac McClung is the new star dunker on the block, as he became the first-ever player to three-peat at the NBA Slam Dunk Contest with his electrifying 2025 performance.
That status has made McClung a dunking legend in his own right, and it’s brought NBA stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Ja Morant to the spotlight as they voiced their interest in competing with McClung next year.
Now, one of the greatest dunkers in the history of the event is teasing his own return to the All-Star weekend festivities, which would make for one of the greatest competitions in the dunk contest’s storied history.
Zach LaVine Teases Interest in Returning to Slam Dunk Contest
In this year’s contest, McClung competed against Chicago Bulls rookie Matas Buzelis, San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle, and Milwaukee Bucks sophomore Andre Jackson Jr. He set the tone in the first round with an electrifying dunk over a parked car.
MAC MCCLUNG ARE YOU KIDDING ⁉️🤯@Kia | #KiaK5 pic.twitter.com/NTNdB5l3gB
— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2025
McClung went on to win the event for a third straight year and has now established himself as one of the best dunkers ever. Zach LaVine, another contender for that crown after winning the event in both 2015 and 2016, suggested on social media that he could return to the event a decade after last winning it.
Thinking I might have too again…. https://t.co/LVnVyEGOwP
— Zach LaVine (@ZachLaVine) February 16, 2025
That tweet from LaVine came in response to Morant’s own intrigue in participating in the dunk contest, at which point he also called out LaVine and Aaron Gordon to participate as well. Of course, that duo is responsible for arguably the greatest Slam Dunk Contest in NBA history, as LaVine controversially won over the then-Orlando Magic forward in 2016.
This is your yearly reminder of the greatest dunk contest NBA history: pic.twitter.com/pujZ7wy0gm
— CantGuardBook (@CGBBURNER) February 16, 2025
While Gordon — who also lost controversially in 2020 to Derrick Jones Jr. — has said he won’t participate in the event again after getting “screwed” by the judges twice, LaVine appears to be interested in returning to the stomping grounds where he originally made a name for himself as a guard on the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Now an established two-time NBA All-Star, LaVine is having a strong season in 2024-25, though it’s been a tumultuous ride over the last few years.
Originally traded to the Bulls in the Jimmy Butler III trade, LaVine became one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA in Chicago, eventually earning a five-year, $215 million max contract extension in 2022. Due to injuries, waning performance, and the Bulls’ own perpetual mediocrity, LaVine found himself incessantly included in trade rumors for years.
Finally, during the 2025 NBA trade deadline, the shooting guard was dealt to the Sacramento Kings in the blockbuster trade that sent guard De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs. As of this year’s All-Star break, LaVine is averaging 37.2 minutes per game in six contests with the Kings, averaging 21.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists while shooting 43.1% from the floor.
A quartet of him, Antetokounmpo, Morant, and McClung in the Slam Dunk Contest would make for appointment viewing and high-flying theater. Though he may not be as spry now as he was in his early 20s, LaVine might still be considered the favorite among that group to win given his legendary track record.