Many NBA experts have said that the legendary battle between Zach Lavine and Aaron Gordon in the 2016 NBA Slam Dunk Contest will never be touched again. Since then, the competition has definitely lost its shine a bit.

Now that could all change as New Orleans Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson has promised to participate in the competition in the future – under one condition.

“I gotta do my part and make the All-Star Game,” Williamson said after a 138–98 win over the Toronto Raptors. “If I’m in the All-Star Game, I’ll do the dunk contest. But if not, I’m not doing it.”

Over five years in the NBA, Williamson has taken part in two All-Star weekends, but only ever played in the All-Star game. He’s never been a part of any other event on the weekend. Most recently, Williamson appeared in the All-Star game for the 2022-23 season. Before that, he was on the bubble in 2020-21. This season he failed to qualify despite averaging 22.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 30.6 minutes per game.

Recent dunk contests have been won by much less popular competitors including G-league players such as Mac McClung who plays primarily for the Delaware Blue Coats, although he’s appeared in four games for the Philadelphia 76ers. Other recent champions include Obi Toppin, Anfernee Simons, Derrick Jones Jr. and Hamidou Diallo.

Based on recent champions, it’s clear that the dunk contest hasn’t featured some of the best in the NBA, and thus the competition has lost some of its allure.

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown entered the 2024 dunk contest and finished second place, but his performance was lackluster at best as McClung became the first player to win back-to-back titles in the dunk contest since Lavine in 2015-16.

It’s possible that the NBA Slam Dunk Contest peaked in 2016 with Lavine and Gordon. If there’s any hope of reviving it, it will come from players like Williamson.

Obi Toppin just keeps improving.

Last season as a rookie, the Knicks forward finished second in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest; this year, he defeated Golden State Warriors guard Juan Toscano-Anderson in the finals to take home the dunk crown.

Dating back to 1984 (sans 1998 and 1999), this year’s edition of the Slam Dunk Contest—Saturday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland—was not well-received by the fans.

The NBA’s top stars have been eschewing the event in recent years, and the 2022 iteration featured, in addition to the two finalists, Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony and Houston Rockets rookie guard Jalen Green.

There were plenty of missed dunks throughout the competition, and the judges’ scores reflected the efforts. None of the four participants received a score higher than 46 in the first round, and Toppin’s 47 on his final attempt—a between-the-legs slam—was…tops.

“I knew I had to come back for my revenge from last year, and I had fun doing it,” Toppin said. “And we had a lot of great dunkers here today. I’m glad I came out with the W.”

It wasn’t a Slam Dunk Contest win on the same level as Michael Jordan in 1988 or Vince Carter in 2000, some are saying, but Toppin is still a champion.

The NBA has announced the list of contestants for the 2018 3-Point Challenge, Skills Challenge and Slam Dunk Contest.

NBA All-Star Game Eve Slam Dunk Contest Participants list

The three events are set to be held Feb. 17 in Los Angeles, the night before the All-Star Game at Staples Center. Among those participating will be Klay Thompson, Joel Embiid and Paul George.  New York Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis is among the young players competing in the Skills challenge.

Here are the full rosters for each competition:

Skills Competition

Lou Williams, Los Angeles Clippers

Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Nets

Al Horford, Boston Celtics

Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks

Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz

Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls

Three-Point Contest

Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors

Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder

Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards

Wayne Ellington, Miami Heat

Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors

Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets

Tobias Harris, Los Angeles Clippers

Dunk Contest

Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers

Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic

Larry Nance Jr., Los Angeles Lakers

Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas Mavericks

Thompson won the 3-point contest in 2016. The reigning NBA champion Warriors have generally outscored their opponents in 3s, so he could win again this year. Thompson is hitting a career-high 45.4 percent from deep this season. However, Eric Gordon is the defending champion.

OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 04: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during their preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers at ORACLE Arena on October 4, 2016 in Oakland, California.