There are a number of rookies in the NBA who are worthy of competing in the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest. In fact, there's a real chance we could have an all-rookie field in Los Angeles next month considering the amount of bounce these guys have show during the first half of the season.
Among the crop of outrageously athletic rooks is Dallas Mavericks point guard Dennis Smith Jr., who reportedly became the first participant in the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest today.
According to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports, Smith Jr. accepted an invitation to compete at the NBA All Star Weekend, which begs the question, who else received an invite to compete in the dunk contest?
https://twitter.com/_/status/955852654546219009
One of Smith Jr.'s fellow rookies, Donovan Mitchell, seems to be wondering the same thing. As the NBA's All Star Weekend approaches, fans have debated which players they'd like to see compete in the dunk contest and Mitchell's name has come up just as frequently as anyone elses, including Dennis Smith Jr.
Immediately after Charania tweeted about DSJ's involvement in the dunk contest, the Jazz rookie tweeted.
https://twitter.com/_/status/955863488429199360
Other rookies that seem to have the fan vote for the dunk contest including Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard Terrance Ferguson and Atlanta Hawks big man John Collins. The Dunk Contest will take place on Saturday, February 16th as part of the NBA's All Star Saturday Night which will kick off around 8pm ET on TNT.
