NBA All-Star Weekend 2023 is almost here, and anticipation is growing ahead of the festivities. The annual slam dunk contest is always one of the highlights, with some of the league's most exciting players showing off their aerial skills.
While the competition is expected to be close, third-year pro Kenyon Martin Jr. of the Houston Rockets is listed as the +240 favorite on FanDuel Sportsbook's NBA odds. A whopping 29.6% of the 6-foot-6 forward's field goal attempts have been dunks this year (122). He is simply a force around the rim.
Mac McClung of the G-League Delaware Blue Coats and Trey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans check in right behind Martin with odds set at +250. Both pros have gone viral in their careers for posterizing dunks. New York Knicks big man Jericho Sims (+260) is the final one taking part in the event.
Here's a complete look at the participants and their odds to win the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Odds
|
Player |
Team |
Odds |
|---|---|---|
|
Kenyon Martin Jr. |
Houston Rockets |
+240 |
|
Mac McClung |
Delaware Blue Coats |
+250 |
|
Trey Murphy III |
New Orleans Pelican s |
+250 |
|
Jericho Sims |
New York Knicks |
+260 |
2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Prediction & Best Bet
There's no shortage of intriguing s torylines here. McClung is attempting to be the first player from the G-League to win a dunk contest and Sims is aiming to be the second straight Knick to earn the crown after Obi Toppin won in 2022. Murphy, meanwhile, is trying to prove he's more than just a three-point specialist.
I find myself zeroed in on Martin, though. The 22-year-old ranks seventh in the league in dunks (122), which checks in ahead of All-Stars like Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis. He has already posterized a few elite big men such as Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner, too. Martin has got hops for days.
Six Houston players have gone for the dunk title in the past, including Jalen Green just last year, but none of them were successful. While NBA fans have gotten to know Martin due to his viral po sters, now is the time for them to get to know him for his crazy athleticism. Expect him to put on a show.