NBA Slam Dunk Contest odds: Zion Williamson will not join Obi Toppin, Anfernee Simons, Cassius Stanley in field Sunday

All of this year's NBA All-Star events will take place on Sunday in Atlanta instead of being spread out over a full weekend due to COVID. Three names have been leaked out as competitors for the Slam Dunk Contest and they are the Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons, Pacers rookie Cassius Stanley and Knicks rookie Obi Toppin. The fourth, however, will not be Pelicans rising superstar Zion Williamson as Yahoo! Sports was the first to report he turned down an invitation.

Zion will play in Sunday's All-Star Game, with captains Kevin Durant and LeBron James choosing their teams Thursday night. It makes sense that Williamson wouldn't want to risk doing the Dunk Contest and the game itself; the Dunk Contest will be held at halftime of the game.

Reportedly, the league also asked Boston All-Star Jaylen Brown but he said no. He has been dealing with a sore knee of late and is questionable for Tuesday's game vs. the Clippers. Timberwolves rookie No. 1 overall pick Anthony Edwards and the Hornets' Miles Bridges also said no. Clearly, the NBA is looking at younger guys to market.

None of the three current Dunk Contest competitors have any national cache; Toppin was the National Player of the Year at Dayton in the 2019-20 college basketball season but isn't playing much for the Knicks under Coach Tom Thibodeau – who rarely plays rookie heavy minutes dating to his Bulls days. Simons plays fairly regular minutes off the bench for Portland, while Stanley almost never sees the court.

William Hill Sportsbook will release Dunk Contest odds when the field is set. Toppin likely would be favored as of now, but it depends on the fourth competitor. No established players are expected to say yes. 

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