Looking for 2023 Slam Dunk Contest odds? How about some picks? Our NBA betting analyst, Nick Galaida, has both. Follow along as he breaks down the odds for Mac McClung, Kenyon Martin Jr., Jericho Sims, and Trey Murphy III — and gives you his official prediction for the event.
2023 Slam Dunk Contest Odds
- Mac McClung +125
- Kenyon Martin Jr. +340
- Jericho Simms +410
- Trey Murphy III +430
Get Your $1000 No Sweat First Bet!
Mac McClung +125
Mac McClung opened at +400 in this event but has been bet to as short as -105 at FanDuel ahead of Saturday’s action. McClung commented earlier this week that he has two dunks that people have not witnessed before, causing a significant amount of intrigue ahead of his participation – not to mention the fact that he is a G League player (recently signing with the Philadelphia 76ers) competing alongside NBA stars. Featuring some of the most unfathomable athleticism we have ever seen from a player of his size, McClung is a good bet to be trending on Twitter before the night is over.
Kenyon Martin Jr. +340
Kenyon Martin Jr. has 122 total dunks this year, which is nearly more than the rest of the participants in the field combined. Martin Jr. is a high-flyer, who has shown both athleticism and creativity during the regular season. Per NBA advanced stats, 109 of Martin Jr.’s 122 dunks this year have either been alley-oop finishes or another on-the-move version of a dunk. If nothing else, he should be an entertaining competitor.
Jericho Sims +410
Jericho Sims appears incredibly unlikely to win this event. Of his 60 dunks this year, 21 of them have either been stationary finishes or putback field goals made. He does not have the athleticism of McClung nor the creativity of Martin Jr. His inclusion in the competition is further proof that the dunk contest is far past its peak. He can confidently be ruled out as a potential winner.
Trey Murphy III (+430)
If simply looking for chaos on the betting market to conclude NBA All-Star Saturday, look no further than Trey Murphy III. He has 62 dunks this season, 51 of which have either been on the move or on the finishing end of an alley-oop. He is a clear third option behind McClung and Martin Jr. both of whom have superior athleticism, name recognition, and finishing ability. Still, we have seen crazier (and less exciting) things than someone such as Murphy III winning the dunk contest.
2023 Slam Dunk Contest Picks & Predictions
Mac McClung is an Instagram star for a reason, and it’s because he is an extremely skilled dunker that is able to complete his attempts in an aesthetically pleasing fashion. His highlight reel dunks go back 314 weeks on his social media feed, and none of the attempts look particularly effortful – that is to say, they all look extremely polished and easy. An underrated component of winning the dunk contest is that participants actually have to complete their dunks. Don’t expect any difficulty from McClung in that regard – trust him to make a statement in Salt Lake City on Saturday.
- PICK: Mac McClung (+125, DraftKings)
