The 2026 Three-Point King: Why Dame Still Reigns (Barely)

Let's be real, ranking three-point shooters for *next* season is a fool's errand. Injuries happen. Slumps happen. But if we're projecting based on what we've seen and what these guys are still capable of, here's my top ten for the 2025-26 NBA season, looking at volume, efficiency, and the sheer fear they strike in defenses. Forget the advanced metrics for a second and just think about who makes you hold your breath when they rise up.

1. **Stephen Curry:** Yeah, he's 37 by then. So what? Curry averaged 4.8 threes per game in 2023-24, hitting 40.8%. His pull-up game remains unparalleled, and his off-ball movement still creates open looks that no one else can generate. Even if he dips to 4.0 3PM on 39%, he's still the most impactful shooter in the league. We've seen LeBron defy age; Curry's game is even more suited to it.

2. **Damian Lillard:** Dame shot 35.4% from deep in his first Bucks season, a career-low, but he cranked it up to 41.7% from March 2024 onwards. He still hit 3.4 threes per game. He's got a chip on his shoulder, and with a full two seasons in Milwaukee, expect his catch-and-shoot numbers (which were 40.4% in 2022-23) to climb back toward his career averages. He'll hit 3.7+ threes a night.

3. **Tyrese Haliburton:** The Pacers' maestro is a sneaky volume shooter, hitting 2.8 threes per game on 40.1% in 2023-24. His catch-and-shoot percentage (43.9% in 2023-24) is elite, and as he matures, his pull-up game from beyond the arc will become even more consistent. He's not a pure gunner like Curry, but his efficiency on good volume is undeniable.

4. **Kevin Durant:** People forget how effortlessly KD gets his shot off. In 2023-24, Durant connected on 2.2 threes per game at a blistering 41.3%. His catch-and-shoot percentage hovered around 42%, and his pull-up three is a weapon against any close-out. He won't take 10 deep shots a game, but his efficiency will remain among the league's best.

5. **Luka Doncic:** This might be my hot take. Doncic launched 10.6 threes per game in the 2024 playoffs, making 34.2% of them. While his regular season 3P% was 38.2% in 2023-24, the sheer volume and difficulty of his pull-up threes put him here. He's going to be taking 9+ threes a game, and as his efficiency slightly improves, he'll hit 3.5+ a night. It's ugly sometimes, but it goes in.

6. **Donovan Mitchell:** Mitchell posted 3.3 threes per game on 36.8% in 2023-24. His pull-up three is dynamic, and if he stays in Cleveland or moves to another contender, he'll maintain that volume. His career 3P% of 36.5% might not jump off the page, but his ability to create his own shot from deep is invaluable.

7. **Desmond Bane:** When healthy, Bane is lethal. He hit 3.0 threes per game on 38.1% in an injury-shortened 2023-24 season. His catch-and-shoot numbers are elite (42.5% in 2022-23), and he's part of the new wave of high-volume, high-efficiency shooters. Expect him to be around 3.5 threes per game if he can stay on the court.

8. **Trae Young:** Young's 3P% dipped to 34.3% in 2023-24, but he still averaged 3.3 threes per game. His range is limitless, and he's not afraid to launch from anywhere. If he lands on a new team or the Hawks figure things out, his efficiency will tick back up. He's a career 35.5% shooter from deep, and he'll be a high-volume threat.

9. **Jayson Tatum:** Tatum attempted 9.0 threes per game in the 2024 playoffs, making 27.2% of them. But his regular season numbers were 3.1 threes on 37.6% in 2023-24. He’s becoming more consistent, and his shot selection is improving. He's not a pure specialist, but his volume combined with solid efficiency puts him in this conversation.

10. **Jamal Murray:** Murray quietly hit 2.4 threes per game on 42.5% in 2023-24, showcasing elite efficiency. His catch-and-shoot percentage was an eye-popping 45.3%. He doesn't take as many as the others, but his ability to rise up in big moments and knock down clutch shots is undeniable. If his volume creeps up slightly, he's a top-tier threat.

Look, historical comparisons are tough. Larry Bird's career high for threes in a season was 98. Buddy Hield hit 288 in 2022-23. The game is different. But the *impact* of a shooter like Curry, even at his age, is still similar to how Reggie Miller warped defenses. Dame's deep pull-ups are reminiscent of Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf in his prime, just with more consistency. These guys don't just hit shots; they change the geometry of the court.

Here's the thing: by 2025-26, the league will have fully embraced the deep ball. We'll see even more players attempting 8+ threes per game. My bold prediction? Haliburton will lead the league in three-point percentage among players attempting at least 7 threes per game in 2025-26.