Despite having some of the most electrifying dunks in the entire NBA, Ja Morant has never officially competed in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest and has declined multiple opportunities to do so. Morant would have significantly boosted the star power for this year's contest.
We are inching closer to NBA All-Star weekend. Typically the NBA Slam Dunk Contest is one of the main highlights of the weekend. However, there are some significant complaints from fans about the lack of star power in this year's contest.
Morant is still recovering from his current injury
It has been an injury-riddled season for Ja Morant. So far, he has appeared in just 20 of the Grizzlies' 51 games. While he had recently returned to play against Orlando and Atlanta in January, Morant suffered a left UCL sprain late in the 4th quarter against the Hawks on January 24. Amid recent trade rumors and his injury suffered in January, Ja Morant remains sidelined.
If Morant were currently healthy, the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest would have been a great opportunity to help regain some of his lost stock. His talent is not in doubt, but something such as this year's contest would've helped to rebuild his value, given that other teams were not willing to give up draft capital for Morant at the recent trade deadline.
Would Morant change his mind beyond this year?
Regardless of Morant's recent injury history and previous controversies, he still remains one of the biggest names in the entire NBA. Last summer, Morant's Nike tour to China was just another reminder of how well appreciated Morant is, not even just in the United States but also globally. Morant also continues to have some of the best-selling shoes in all of sports.
Years ago, in an interview with Taylor Rooks, Ja Morant said that it would take being paid $1 million in order to participate in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Some of the reasons included Morant's concerns about judging, and he also made an interesting point about how in-game dunks are often crazy enough to make the dunk contest less exciting.
While Morant is not healthy enough to compete in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest this year, it is definitely something he should consider eventually, even as soon as next year. It would be beneficial to the league, as it would boost the popularity of the contest again. Most importantly, it would significantly help Morant regain some of the stock that he has lost in the last couple of years.