2026 NBA Slam Dunk contest odds, field, predictions: Picks from expert on 40-17 roll

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2026 NBA Slam Dunk contest odds, field, predictions: Picks from expert on 40-17 roll

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There will be a new slam dunk champion as three-time winner Mac McClung will not participate in the 2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest. Carter Bryant (Spurs), Jaxson Hayes (Lakers), Keshad Johnson (Heat) and Jase Richardson (Magic) are part of the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk field. The dunk contest takes place in two rounds, with judges scoring each dunk. In the first round, all four players will attempt two dunks and the combined score will determine the top two who advance to the final round. Each finalist will then attempt two additional dunks, with the highest combined score determining the champion. The 2026 Slam Dunk Contest will be the third and final event on All-Star Saturday Night, which begins at 5 p.m. ET and also includes the Shooting Stars and the 3-Point Contest.

Bryant enters as the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest favorite at +170 at FanDuel. He is followed by Jaxson Hayes (+240), Keshad Johnson (+310) and Jase Richardson (+430). Before you make any picks for the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest or predictions for All-Star Weekend, you need to see the picks and best bets from SportsLine’s NBA expert Mike Barner.

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Barner is one of the most respected voices in the industry and his work has appeared in Sports Illustrated and on Yahoo, RotoWire and KFFL. He has also been featured on ESPN Radio. It digs into the data, examines team trends and projects match results. If there’s anyone who can spot an advantage in a match or identify a player in a position to escape, it’s him.

Barner’s expertise has been on full display lately as he enters the All-Star break on a 40-17 run. NBA betting choice (+2014). Last year, he finished with a record of 239-178-2, returning between $3,209 and $100 to bettors on NBA picks against the spread. Anyone who follows sports betting and betting apps would have seen huge returns.

He has now analyzed the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest from all angles and has his picks and predictions locked in. You can head to SportsLine now to see Barner’s NBA Slam Dunk Contest best bets.

Top Picks and Predictions for the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest

A shock: Barner makes Hayes disappear. The 25-year-old Los Angeles Lakers center is a seven-year veteran who has played in 43 games, including six starts, averaging 6.5 points in 17.3 minutes per game. He is known for his impressive dunks. In a 129-118 win over the Chicago Bulls last month, he had a steal before rushing to the other end for a between-the-legs dunk to end the game. This sent the crowd on the road to Chicago’s United Center into a frenzy.

Barner, however, doesn’t like the fact that Hayes is tall. “Hayes is 7 feet tall. Dwight Howard (6-11) and Larry Nance (6-10) are the only players at least 6-10 to win the award, so I’m eliminating Hayes from consideration,” Barner told SportsLine. Barner prefers another player to Hayes. You can see who to support here.

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How to make NBA Slam Dunk Contest 2026 picks

Barner’s Slam Dunk Contest winner is a long shot he describes as having “the potential to deliver exciting, high-flying dunks.” You can find out who it is and see the rest of Barner’s NBA Slam Dunk Contest best bets at SportsLine.

So who wins the 2026 Slam Dunk competition? Visit SportsLine now to see Barner’s picks for the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest, all from the NBA expert who’s 40-17 on NBA picks, and find out.