Here's a look at the top-tier flame-throwers we expect to dominate from beyond the arc this season, and a quick glance at how their game stacks up against the legends.
You can’t talk about three-point shooting without starting with **Stephen Curry**. Even at 37, Curry remains the gold standard. Last season, he still dropped 4.8 threes per game on 41.2% shooting. His gravity alone warps defenses, opening up everything for the Warriors. What’s truly wild about Curry is his pull-up game; he hit 3.1 pull-up threes per contest at a ridiculous 39.5%. Nobody in history even comes close to his off-the-dribble efficiency and volume. He might not lead the league in total threes anymore, but his impact from deep is still unmatched.
Then there's **Buddy Hield**. After bouncing around, Hield found a sweet spot as a pure catch-and-shoot specialist. Last year with the Pistons, he averaged 3.6 made threes on 40.8% from the field, with nearly 90% of those being catch-and-shoot opportunities. He’s the guy you run off screens, the ultimate floor spacer. His lack of creation limits his ceiling, but for pure shooting, he’s still elite.
**Donovan Mitchell** has quietly become one of the league's most dangerous perimeter threats. In 2024-25, Mitchell hit 3.9 threes per game at a solid 38.7%. What makes Mitchell so tough is his versatility: he hit 2.2 pull-up threes a night at 37.1%, showcasing his ability to create his own shot. He’s not just a spot-up guy; he’ll break you down off the dribble and step back into a triple. His late-game heroics often involve a contested three, proving his clutch factor.
**Devin Booker** has steadily improved his long-range game, making him an even more complete scorer. Last season, Booker connected on 2.8 threes per game at a career-high 39.2%. While not as high-volume as others, his efficiency from deep is critical for the Suns' offense, especially when defenses collapse on Durant. Booker’s game is more about precision than volume, but his ability to hit big shots makes him lethal. He's also hitting 40.5% on corner threes, which is a significant jump from early in his career.
**Anthony Edwards** is the future, and his three-point shot is a major reason why. Last year, Edwards hit 3.1 threes per game on 36.5% shooting. The volume is there, and the percentage is improving. His pull-up game is developing rapidly, hitting 1.8 pull-up threes a night. He’s got the confidence to launch from anywhere, and as his shot selection matures, that percentage will climb even higher. He's already a force driving to the rim, but his outside shot makes him nearly unguardable when he's on.
We can’t forget about **Damian Lillard**, even if he's starting to show a slight decline. He still hit 3.5 threes per game on 37.8% last season. His range is legendary, and he’s still hitting those logo shots. **Klay Thompson**, assuming he’s still playing, remains a threat, especially off screens. He averaged 3.0 threes on 38.5% last season for the Warriors. **Tyrese Haliburton** is another name to watch; his quick trigger and improving efficiency (3.2 threes on 39.0% in 2024-25) make him a huge part of the Pacers' attack. Then there's **Luka Doncic**, who, despite the ugly release, consistently puts up huge numbers from deep (3.6 threes on 37.5% last year), especially in clutch moments. And keep an eye on **Jamal Murray**, who, when healthy, is a bona fide sniper, hitting 2.9 threes on 39.5% last season.
Real talk: the way these guys shoot compared to two decades ago is night and day. Back in 2005, the league average for three-point attempts was around 16 per game. Last season, it was nearly 36 attempts per game. That's a massive jump. Guys like Reggie Miller and Ray Allen were considered elite hitting 2-3 threes a game at 40%. Now, you have players like Curry hitting five or six. The volume and efficiency from deep are simply unprecedented.
Think about it: Larry Bird, one of the greatest shooters ever, averaged 1.0 three per game over his career. Curry's *career average* is 4.2. That's not just better, it's a completely different sport. The emphasis on spacing, the analytics pushing more threes, and the development of skill at a younger age have all contributed to this. It’s hard to imagine the game ever reverting to fewer threes. The genie is out of the bottle.
My hot take? Anthony Edwards will lead the league in total threes made this season. His combination of volume, improving efficiency, and the green light he has in Minnesota is going to push him past everyone else.
**Bold prediction:** By the end of the 2025-26 season, at least five players will average over 4.0 made threes per game, a new NBA record, solidifying this era as the true age of the sniper.