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Nowadays in the NBA, there is a hefty price tag for a player that can consistently make the three-point shot and also play above average defense. Since these abilities are hard to come by, teams are taking out their check books. Danny Green, a free agent from this summer, signed a $45 million deal over four years because of his ability to play consistent defense and convert on those threes. Some of the best marksmen in the league are older, already in their mid 30’s, but are able to remain a starter due to their shooting talents. This leads our focus towards the best three-point shooters from the previous season. As a note, all of the players listed in this top ten attempted at least 300 three-pointers last season. Click ahead to see the best from beyond the arc last season.
10. Mike Dunleavy, SF, Chicago Bulls
2014-2015 Stats: 9.4 PPG, 40.7% 3-PT
Career Stats: 11.7 PPG, 37.6% 3-PT
Dunleavy had a pretty good year from beyond the arc, beating his career average of 37.6% by shooting 40.7% from distance. He has always been one of the best at running through screens for the catch-and-shoot but he is simply getting old, as his scoring continues to drop by year. Despite this, he remains a starter due to his experience and shooting. He should continue to do damage with those rainmakers next season especially being fresh off a three-year $15 million extension with the Bulls.
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9. Bradley Beal, SG, Washington Wizards
2014-2015 Stats: 15.3 PPG, 40.9% 3-PT
Career Stats: 15.6 PPG, 40% 3-PT
Beal excelled after his injury early in the season, taking over the scoring duties while John Wall was injured. The four-year pro has shot the three-ball pretty well, hovering around the same mark throughout his career. With the departure of Paul Pierce, Beal should figure to get more looks from distance, which should bump his percentage up.
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8. Kyrie Irving, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers
2014-2015 Stats: 21.7 PPG, 41.5% 3-PT
Career Stats: 21 PPG, 39% 3-PT
Kyrie Irving is one of the youngest guys on this list but he definitely deserves to be on it. He improved his career percentage this past season as he shot 41.5% on those long balls, possibly having something to do with the return of LeBron James to Cleveland. Regardless, Irving should remain as one of the top three-point shooters in the league for seasons to come. His shooting percentage is also expected to remain right above the 40% mark.
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7. Danny Green, SG, San Antonio Spurs
2014-2015 Stats: 11.7 PPG, 41.8% 3-PT
Career Stats: 9.6 PPG, 42% 3-PT
Danny Green is the prototypical “3-and-D” player. He is great at running screens on offense to get open looks and he plays above average defense on the more elite players in the league. Add to that the fact that he plays for Coach Gregg Popovich and the Spurs making his career average of 42% from beyond the arc more sensible. Green is only nearing his prime which means he will remain a fixture in the starting lineup for San Antonio and should continue to shoot threes right around 42% with Lamarcus Aldridge, Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard, and Tim Duncan passing him the ball.
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6. Anthony Morrow, SG, Oklahoma City Thunder
2014-2015 Stats: 10.7 PPG, 43.4% 3-PT
Career Stats: 10.5 PPG, 42.9% 3-PT
Anthony Morrow walked into a decent situation in OKC this past season. Although the injury to Kevin Durant was devastating, it allowed Morrow’s minutes to increase. Playing with Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka helped too as he shot a very respectable 43.4% from beyond the arc. His minutes figure to drop significantly with the return of Durant, but he should still be a valuable shooter off the bench.
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5. J.J. Redick, SG, Los Angeles Clippers
2014-2015 Stats: 16.4 PPG, 43.7% 3-PT
Career Stats: 10.8 PPG, 40% 3-PT
The Los Angeles Clippers gained a valuable starter when they signed J.J. Redick as a free agent a few years ago. Although they now have a much younger player at the shooting guard spot in Lance Stephenson, Redick’s ability to run screens in Doc River’s offensive schemes makes him valuable to the Clippers. He shot almost 44% from long distance last season and he can possibly shoot even better next season if he continues to play efficient ball.
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4. Klay Thompson, SG, Golden State Warriors
2014-2015 Stats: 21.7 PPG, 43.9% 3-PT
Career Stats: 17.5 PPG, 41.8% 3-PT
Klay Thompson, fresh off a five-year $80 million contract from last summer, played very well for the champion Golden State Warriors. Despite playing second fiddle to Stephen Curry, he was able to pick and choose his look that allowed him to shoot a very efficient 43.9% from long distance, up from his career average of 41.8%. Thompson was scorching hot in some games, like the game against the Sacramento Kings in which Thompson made nine treys in as many attempts, all in the third quarter alone. Though he is a great shooter, it is hard to see him shoot more efficiently than he did this past season.
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3. Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors
2014-2015 Stats: 23.8 PPG, 44.3% 3-PT
Career Stats: 20.9 PPG, 44% 3-PT
Klay Thompson’s backcourt mate, Stephen Curry, is one of the best three-point shooters this game has ever seen. His quick release somehow seems to work for him as he is a career 44% shooter from deep. Curry also won league MVP honors on his way to a championship this past season. He led the league with eight long-ball attempts per game, and converted on just under four of them on average. Curry will remain at the top of the NBA for numerous seasons to come, not only in shooting the ball but also in overall play.
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2. Eric Gordon, SG, New Orleans Pelicans
2014-2015 Stats: 13.4 PPG, 44.8% 3-PT
Career Stats: 16.8 PPG, 38.3% 3-PT
Eric Gordon had somewhat of a lucky season wherein he shot almost 45% from beyond the arc which was way above his career average of 38.3%. Though he isn’t a great shooter to begin with, the injuries to starting point guard Jrue Holiday may have helped Gordon get more shots. He most likely won’t repeat this season’s stats, but he remains an above average shooter in the league.
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1. Kyle Korver, SG, Atlanta Hawks
2014-2015 Stats: 12.1 PPG, 49.2% 3-PT
Career Stats: 10.0 PPG, 43.2% 3-PT
Korver has always been an effective shooter from the three-point territory but never like this previous season in which he shot almost 50% from long distance. He was almost the first player in NBA history to achieve the “50-50-90” mark, which is 50% from the field, 50% from three, and 90% from the free throw line. Despite going down with an injury in the Eastern Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, a healthy Korver will return to the Hawks with a green light to continue firing deep shots.
