CLEVELAND (AP) – LeBron James plans to watch the NBA’s dunk contest – for now.

James was not among the four players the league announced Tuesday will take part in the event during All-Star weekend in Los Angeles. But the Cleveland Cavaliers’ star rookie has been hinting at a possible surprise appearance.

Citing a sprained right ankle that sidelined him for three games, James recently turned down the NBA’s invitation to be in the dunk contest. James could reconsider, however.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I’ll think about it. There are a lot of people who want me to do it.”

If James does decide to participate, the league would probably welcome him.

Golden State’s Jason Richardson will try for a third straight dunking crown against Boston’s Ricky Davis, Denver’s Chris Andersen and Indiana’s Fred Jones. No player has won three slam-dunk contests since the competition began in 1984.

While James remains noncommittal, there are signs that he might be ready to show his stuff.

Neat the end of warmups before Monday night’s game against Boston, James twice practiced a twisting, two-handed dunk that teammate Kedrick Brown couldn’t match.

Also, this year’s event is sponsored by Sprite, which signed James to a six-year marketing and endorsement deal in August.

James said he’ll decide whether he participates.

James had several big dunks in Monday night’s game before straining his left calf muscle late in the third quarter. He returned in the fourth period and scored five of his 24 points in Cleveland’s 97-89 win.

James was limited in practice Tuesday, but he expects to play Wednesday night against New Jersey.