The NBA is at the peak of its three-point era, as the potency of accurate three-point shooting isn’t lost on anybody in the NBA. Efficient three-point shooters get paid over $100 million in modern NBA contracts because of how valuable a skill that is.
However, the value of the three means that players continue chucking it even if they wind up being inefficient because the shot inherently is more valuable than anything else.
The game has evolved from an era where you’d have designated shooters on the team, usually the guards, to today where everyone is expected to shoot. Not everyone can shoot, but about 85% of the NBA is happy to let those shots fly. This includes players who are 6’10”-6’11”, such as Kyle Kuzma.
Kuzma is expected to be a winning piece for the Milwaukee Bucks after they parted with franchise legend Khris Middleton to acquire him. However, Kuzma leads the list of the league’s worst shooters this season, alongside some other peculiar names you might not be expecting to see here.
1. Kyle Kuzma – 28.6% (1.4/4.8 3PM-3PA)
Kyle Kuzma showed great offensive development last season with the Washington Wizards, averaging 22.2 points on 33.6% from three last season. That’s disappeared this year as the man who was traded mid-season to the Milwaukee Bucks is struggling to find his shot, something the Bucks can’t afford from him as he’s expected to be the third-best player on their championship contender.
2. Stephon Castle – 28.7% (1.2/4.0 3PM-3PA)
Stephon Castle might be the favorite for Rookie of the Year, but it’s not because of his shooting attributes. The San Antonio Spurs rookie is arguably the best defender in his class and an excellent winning player already in his career. However, his offensive game requires a lot of refinement, as indicated by his three-point shooting numbers this season.
3. Kelly Oubre Jr. – 29.3% (1.2-4.0 3PM-3PA)
Kelly Oubre Jr. returned to the Philadelphia 76ers as a free agent in the summer, but the 29-year-old forward isn’t having the best season. Amid the 76ers’ struggles and non-Playoff positioning, Oubre Jr. has had a lot more leeway to play free basketball. This has led to questionable shot selection, hence his sub-20% three-point shooting efficiency.
4. Franz Wagner – 30.0% (1.7-5.7 3PM-3PA)
Franz Wagner has had a breakout season with the Orlando Magic, averaging 19.7 points. He was an All-Star contender this season and will be among the favorites to be named for the first time next season. However, that won’t happen unless he drastically improves his three-point shot.
5. Terry Rozier – 30.0% (1.5-5.0 3PM-3PA)
Terry Rozier has had a rough season with the Miami Heat. After being expected to provide high-level offense on the perimeter, Rozier has been a two-way disaster this season. His poor shooting exemplifies his struggles, as Rozier has little use on a winning team if he’s shooting as poorly as he is this season on this type of volume.
6. Keon Johnson – 30.7% (1.6-5.1 3PM-3PA)
The Brooklyn Nets have given virtually every player a consistent green light amid their own tanking season. Nobody has taken better advantage of this than Keon Johnson, as the former lottery pick has been firing up shots incessantly. While he’s still not an efficient shooter, his efforts this season have likely guaranteed him another contract next season.
7. Shaedon Sharpe – 31.0% (2.0-6.4 3PM-3PA)
Shaedon Sharpe can be one of the future stars in the NBA with his incredible athleticism and skill set. However, he won’t go very far if he can’t shoot the ball better. The Portland Trail Blazers look at Sharpe as a key core member of the franchise, so he needs to improve his outside shot to fulfill his potential as an All-Star or All-NBA talent.
8. De’Aaron Fox – 31.0% (1.9-6.1 3PM-3PA)
We won’t see De’Aaron Fox adjust his shooting numbers this season after the guard was ruled out. The man who started the season on the Sacramento Kings before being traded to the Spurs has never been an elite shooter, with that being reflected this season as well. At least he’s willing to keep shooting it.
9. Jalen Suggs – 31.4% (2.2-6.8 3PM-3PA)
Another player who’s out for the year is Jalen Suggs of the Magic. Suggs has been one of the best defensive guards in the NBA over the last few years, but his shot is still very much a work in progress.
10. D’Angelo Russell – 31.6% (2.0-6.3 3PM-3PA)
Arguably the most surprising name on this list is D’Angelo Russell, who’s shooting a career-low percentage from three this season. He was traded midseason from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Nets after shooting 41.5% from three last season. This might just be an aberration year for Russell, who is an above-average shooter categorized amongst the worst in this category for the season.
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