With Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson winning the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest, there is still some discussion going on about the event and the changes that should be made to it. As people wonder what the future of the Slam Dunk Contest will look like, former player Kendrick Perkins has a request for the league.
Perkins didn't hold back on his feelings toward the event on Saturday, saying the Slam Dunk Contest was a "disgrace" and "terrible." He believes the addition of big-name players will help fix this, the three players he mentioned are Anthony Edwards, Ja Morant and Victor Wembanyama.
Perkins said, "That was an embarrassment. If there was one thing that was an embarrassing moment for All-Star Weekend, that dunk contest was terrible." "And I wouldn't say that ... and I would sit here today and say the Dunk Contest doesn't need to go anywhere, but it needs to be fixed. And the only way you fix it is you need bigger, top players, bigger names, Anthony Edwards, Ja Morant. Hey, I'd even like to see Wembey go seven-on-seven."
"He was an embarrassment. ... The only way you fix it is you need big-time players ... Anthony Edwards, Ja Morant — I'd like to see Wembley in it, too."
Kendrick Perkins wraps up this year's dunk contest at NBA All-Star Weekend 😳pic.twitter.com/8912v95Mtf
- ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 16 February 2026
Kendrick Perkins compares the Slam Dunk Contest and the Three-Point Contest
While there were some viral moments on Saturday, such as Johnson winning the Slam Dunk Contest by helping rapper E-40 dunk, the excitement has been noticeably subdued. Perkins explained the difference between the event and the three-point contest, saying that stars compete there, with Damian Lillard winning his third title.
"The difference between the dunk contest and the three-point contest, the superstars and the stars, they participate in the three-point contest. We saw Dame Lillard... We need those big-name guys, Adam Silver and the NBA to do whatever they need to commit and get those guys to participate, damn it, get it done. It may cost a little salad, but make sure they make sure you get it done. Dunk Contest NBA and All-Star “It means a lot to the weekend.”
At any rate, it remains to be seen how the Slam Dunk Contest develops
