Who should be invited to the Slam Dunk contest?

The Slam Dunk contest is getting closer and after the relative letdown of 2017 (thanks to 2016's dazzling display of dunks), there's no reason to believe the contest won't make a grand return with the right contestants.

Based on what we've watched this season, who's most ready and deserving to have their names alongside other dunk legends?

Aaron Gordon (Orlando Magic) - 2016 runner-up

Gordon's performance in the 2017 contest wasn't memorable, as a foot injury hindered his ability to recapture the magic of the year prior. However, it's almost impossible to forgot his battle with Zach LaVine in 2016, which involved some of the most spectacular dunks in contest history.

Gordon had arguably the greatest dunk contest package ever, and his combination of verticality and brute strength was awe-inspiring. Last season's disappointment should be reason to give the man another opportunity to showcase his best talent: destroying the rim with the most genuine smile.

Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz)

There's lots of new blood in the NBA after the insanely deep 2017 draft, and none might be as electrifying as Jazz rookie Mitchell. His bounce off two feet is mesmerizing considering his 6-foot-3 frame. He's like a freight train if given any open space.

Being a Rookie of the Year candidate is usually not enough to gain attention in Utah, but an opportunity to put your most entertaining skill to test should help that. These are the moments players like Mitchell live for. He deserves it, and so do the fans.

Dennis Smith Jr. (Dallas Mavericks)

Oh my goodness. The things Smith does to the rim should be illegal, and his quick jump allows to him get there at ridiculous speeds. As another two-footed jumper, Smith carries a lot of the same physical tools as Mitchell, but with a league record-tying 48-inch vertical leap, he may just be more gifted in that department.

Hard to argue when you see dunks like this:

Smith is another super rookie gearing up to become a star in the league. He's a human highlight reel waiting to happen and also got an endorsement from LeBron James himself earlier this season. Why not let the self-proclaimed King throw a lob to Smith in the contest?

Terrance Ferguson (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Only recently has Ferguson emerged as a rotation player for the Thunder, which means we're only now able to appreciate his insane dunking ability. He might be the least-known to casual fans, but to those dunk enthusiasts out there, he can easily be considered a favorite.

Ferguson may be a future staple of this competition, with uncanny versatility. He isn't limited by foot placement and has the explosiveness of some of the greatest to ever win the contest. He's a must-see any time both his feet are off the ground.

Honorable mentions: Zach LaVine (2015, 2016 winner), Andrew Wiggins (see destruction of Jakob Poeltl), Gerald Green (he's still got it)