5 players who belong in the 2018 NBA Dunk Contest

2. Dennis Smith Jr.

Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports recently reported that the number two selection on our list has already accepted the NBA’s invitation to compete in the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest. But then, the man himself denied the report.

The league needs to get their junk together and make sure Dennis Smith Jr is officially invited to the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest. He’s absolutely a must have for the event.

He should have received his official invitation on draft night.

The 6-foot-3 guard would be a perfect selection for the contest. He’s an explosive leaper, with top one percent of top one percent level athleticism. He attacks the rim with reckless abandon and finishes Dunk Contest-level jams in game situations on the regular.

One of scouts’ go-to comparisons for Smith as he was preparing to enter the NBA was former Rockets’ guard Steve Francis. In 2000 the man known as Stevie Franchise put up a great performance in the Dunk Contest, falling to second place at the heels of Vince Carter’s all-time great showing.

We think Smith’s comparison to Francis’ athleticism and dunking ability is spot-on, and makes him a threat to hoist the trophy this year, and potentially in years to come.

The rookie is one of the bright spots for the Mavericks this year, a team near the bottom of the league’s standings looking for a ray of hope.

Smith has given fans in Dallas something to look forward to for the future of their franchise. We hope he can showcase this in the spotlight of All-Star weekend as well.