Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon, Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo and Dallas Mavericks guard Dennis Smith Jr. have committed to the 2018 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.
The NBA plans to officially announce the participants next week for the Feb. 16 event in Los Angeles. Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. is a strong candidate to be the fourth participant, but he has not decided whether to accept at this point in time.
Oladipo has had an fantastic year in his fifth NBA season, averaging 24.2 points and 5.2 rebounds in 42 games for Indiana. Oladipo was runner-up to Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine in the 2015 dunk contest in New York. That year the event was completely dominated by Lavine, who won again the next year.
For Gordon, this would be his third consecutive appearance in the event. Gordon is averaging 18.4 points and 8.2 rebounds this season, his best yet as a professional. In 2016, Gordon and LaVine dueled in one of the all-time dunk performances, with LaVine, some would say controversially, earning the trophy.
Smith, a high-flying rookie from NC State, has averaged 14.8 points and 4.6 assists in 39 games. He was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2017 draft.
Nance is regarded as one of the league’s top athletes, and his father, Larry Nance, won the dunk contest in 1984. He has become well known for his high flying antics on the young Lakers squad.