NBA Slam Dunk Contest Odds: Jaxson Hayes Carries Most Experience into Field of Rookies in Dunk Contest
Jaxson Hayes will take on a field of rookies in the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday night in his home stadium. Can he lean on experience to beat the likes of Carter Bryant and Jase Richardson? Peter Alexis breaks down the NBA Dunk contest field and latest odds for all-star weekend.
Peter Alexis - February 14, 2026, 5:20 PM EST
4 Minute ReadNBA Slam Dunk Contest Odds: Can Jaxson Hayes Outplay Star Rookies in 2026 Dunk Contest?
NBA All-Star Saturday night always delivers spectacle, but the Slam Dunk Contest remains the purest showcase of creativity and athleticism. This year’s field leans heavily toward youth, with all four participants age 25 or younger and several still early in their professional careers. It’s a reminder that the contest often belongs to rising players eager to introduce themselves on a national stage.
Unlike past editions stacked with established superstars, the 2026 group is built on projection and raw explosiveness. Three of the four entrants have fewer than 10 in-game dunks this season, many coming in limited or garbage-time minutes, meaning fans will see abilities rarely unleashed during real competition. With opportunity wide open, the judging could come down to originality and execution rather than reputation.
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NBA Slam Dunk Contest Odds
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Carter Bryant (+170) Check out these best odds at FanDuel Sportsbook
The favorite enters with serious pedigree. Carter Bryant, the former Arizona standout now with the Spurs, headlines the field thanks to elite bounce and fluid in-air control that made him a viral sensation in college. Despite limited NBA dunk volume so far, oddsmakers clearly believe his athletic ceiling translates perfectly to a dunk contest setting. If Bryant lands his biggest ideas cleanly, he has the profile of a runaway winner.
Jaxson Hayes (+240) Check out these best odds at FanDuel Sportsbook
Jaxson Hayes is the veteran of the group, a former Texas big man now with the Lakers. Unlike the others, Hayes has real NBA dunk experience and has built a reputation as an above-the-rim finisher throughout his career. That in-game résumé could help with confidence and power finishes, though big men sometimes struggle to match the creativity of smaller, more acrobatic leapers. Still, his explosiveness keeps him firmly in contention.
Keshad Johnson (+310) Check out these best odds at Caesars Sportsbook
Another Arizona product, Keshad Johnson is carving out his path on a two-way deal with the Miami Heat while splitting time in the G League. His odds place him squarely in the middle of the pack, reflecting intriguing athletic tools but less national exposure than Bryant or Hayes. Dunk contests often reward under-the-radar creativity, and Johnson could surprise if he brings a unique style or prop-driven flair to the floor.
Jase Richardson (+430) Check out these best odds at FanDuel Sportsbook
The longest shot carries perhaps the most compelling storyline. Rookie guard Jase Richardson, out of Michigan State and now with the Orlando Magic, follows in family footsteps. His father captured the Slam Dunk Contest twice in the early 2000s, creating a legacy angle that judges and fans will remember. Richardson’s limited in-game dunk total suggests mystery rather than weakness, and if he channels that lineage with clean, inventive slams, he could outperform his odds.
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