Shortly after Mac McClung took home his third straight Slam Dunk Contest trophy, Zach LaVine made airwaves by responding to a tweet from Ja Morant challenging him and Aaron Gordon to participate in the event one last time.
Thinking I might have too again…. https://t.co/LVnVyEGOwP
— Zach LaVine (@ZachLaVine) February 16, 2025
The tweet made fans believe that the two-time champion was seriously considering putting his perfect record on the line for a third go at the Dunk Contest.
However, it seems like LaVine was simply trying to get fans all worked up for his own personal amusement. As LaVine said in a recent interview with Sacramento Kings media, "I just wanted to see the response."
Zach LaVine says his flirtation with participating in a future dunk contest was mainly to see what the reaction would be like. But it sounds as if, even at the age of 30, the former 2x dunk champion is truly considering it - especially now as a father. pic.twitter.com/EVLzes7aZL
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) February 20, 2025
The good news is that, while it is highly unlikely, there is still one reason LaVine could return to the Dunk Contest.
It's for the kids
Later in that clip, LaVine mentioned one situation where he would consider competing in the Saturday night classic once more.
LaVine currently has two children, Saint Thomas (2 years old) and Elijah (11 months old), with a third one on the way. Given that Zach LaVine hasn't been a part of All-Star weekend since 2022 (when he was named to his second career All-Star team), neither of his kids has ever gotten to experience an All-Star weekend.
This brings us to the original point we were trying to make. If you listen to the clip all the way through, you will hear that LaVine said he wants his kids to be able to experience that.
However, given that LaVine hasn't been selected to an All-Star game in three years, it seems unlikely that LaVine will be able to achieve that feat by being selected to another All-Star team. Even in what has been considered a bounce-back campaign in 2024-25, LaVine still couldn't secure a spot in the relatively weaker Eastern Conference (remember, he was traded after All-Star teams were named).
So, if LaVine wants his kids to see him participate in All-Star weekend, his only way of doing so may be through the Slam Dunk Contest. The NBA would clearly have him back if he asked for the opportunity, especially considering that his and Gordon's clash practically saved the event nearly a decade ago.
Will LaVine's desire to give his kids this experience be enough to risk his perfect record in the event? Or will he find an alternative route to accomplish this goal (whether that be by getting another All-Star berth or being selected for the 3-point contest)? This is one storyline that will be interesting to monitor moving forward.