With All-Star Weekend right around the corner, the NBA Slam Dunk Contest is once again set to take center stage - and this year, it’ll feature a high-flying big man from Los Angeles looking to make a statement. Lakers center Jaxson Hayes is officially in the field, becoming the seventh Laker ever to take part in the event.
The last - and only - Laker to win it? A young Kobe Bryant back in 1997.
Now, let’s be honest: the Dunk Contest hasn’t exactly been the crown jewel of All-Star Saturday in recent years. The league’s biggest names have mostly steered clear, and fans have noticed.
This year’s lineup continues that trend, featuring Hayes alongside three rookies - San Antonio’s Carter Bryant, Miami’s Keshad Johnson, and Orlando’s Jase Richardson. Not exactly household names just yet, but that doesn’t mean they can’t put on a show.
And for Hayes, this isn’t just another event - it’s a dream realized.
“It would be really special if it was in Cleveland or Indiana, that’s close to my family,” Hayes said. “But for me, I’ve always dreamed of being in the Dunk Contest.
It’s just something you do as a kid. Obviously making it to the NBA and being an All-Star, stuff like that is what you dream of, but for me, I was always big into the Dunk Contest - if you guys can’t tell by the way I play.
So yeah, just excited. When I got that call, I was definitely down.”
That excitement is evident every time Hayes takes flight. At 6'11" with elite bounce, he’s not your typical contestant - and that’s part of what makes him so intriguing.
He’s already shown flashes of what he can do, like the recent in-game Eastbay dunk (yes, through the legs) against the Bulls that lit up social media. That kind of creativity, especially from a big man, is rare - and it’s exactly the kind of spark the Dunk Contest could use.
The event will be held at the brand-new Intuit Dome - technically the Clippers’ home, but you can bet there’ll be plenty of purple and gold in the crowd. That hometown energy could give Hayes a boost as he looks to end a nearly 30-year drought for Lakers in the contest.
And while he’s focused on putting on a show this weekend, Hayes also recently addressed an incident that drew some attention for the wrong reasons. On January 30, during a game against the Wizards, Hayes was involved in an interaction with Washington’s mascot, “G Wiz,” that resulted in a one-game suspension. A video showed Hayes shoving the mascot as it ran by, prompting questions and criticism.
The 25-year-old has since apologized and offered some clarity on what happened, taking accountability and looking to move forward.
So now, the focus shifts back to the court - or more accurately, above it. Hayes has the hops, the flair, and the stage. Whether or not he walks away with the trophy, he’s got a chance to remind fans why the Dunk Contest still matters - and maybe, just maybe, bring a little Laker magic back to All-Star Weekend.