New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has agreed to participate in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, but he has a preliminary goal to accomplish before entering the competition.

The 6-foot-6 power forward wants to ensure that he will be in town for the All-Star Weekend not just for the Dunk Contest, but also the All-Star Game.

"I gotta do my part and make the All-Star Game. If I'm in the All-Star Game, I'll do the dunk contest. But if not, I'm not doing it," the 23-year-old said after their dominant 139-98 win against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, March 5 on the road at the Scotiabank Arena.

Williamson has earned a spot in the All-Star Game twice in his career, achieving this feat in 2021 and 2023.

The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend will be held at Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors, in San Francisco, California, from February 14 to 16, 2025.

Meanwhile, Williamson could add much-needed star power in the Slam Dunk Contest, which has faced a decline in quality for the past few years.

Shaquille O'Neal has some advice for Zion Williamson

Williamson did not impress Hall of Fame center Shaquille O'Neal, who commented on the Pelicans star's promise.

"When I make the All-Star team, yes. All that if talk, it's just telling me that you're not fully confident in yourself," the four-time NBA champion said during TNT's postgame show.