- The Los Angeles Lakers want to shoot more three-pointers this season, according to head coach Darvin Ham
- The Lakers have some good 3-point shooters
- LeBron James and Anthony Davis are the best players on the Lakers, but they aren’t at the top of the shooting list
The Los Angeles Lakers were 24th in the NBA last season in 3-point field goals. They averaged 10.8 three-pointers per game and made 885 3-pointers on the season.
The Lakers shot 34.6% from beyond the arc last season. That was good for 25th in the league. Los Angeles made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals after starting the season 2-10. The Lakers got swept by the Denver Nuggets in the conference finals.
After a flurry of moves in free agency, many pundits believe the Lakers can compete for a championship this season. For the purple and gold to win a title, the team will need to make more three-pointers than last season.
With that said, let’s take a look at the 10 best 3-point shooters on the Lakers, who are expected to start D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis this season.
10. Jarred Vanderbilt
Jarred Vanderbilt appeared in 26 games with the Lakers last season. He shot 30.3% from beyond the arc and made 10 three-pointers. Teams left Vanderbilt open from downtown in the corner since he’s only a career 28.8% shooter from distance.
However, Lakers opponents may not be able to do that this season.
Jarred Vanderbilt is looking like someone who has been working on his corner 3s all summer 👀
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) October 8, 2023
This offseason, Vanderbilt worked on his jumper so he could be a more reliable threat from deep for the Lakers. It will be interesting to see how many three-pointers the lefty makes this season and what his percentage is.
The Lakers signed Vanderbilt to a four-year, $48 million extension in September. The franchise clearly believes the forward will be a key contributor moving forward.
9. Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis spent time with Lakers assistant coach Chris Jent during the offseason working on his outside shot after shooting only 25.7% from downtown during the 2022-23 regular season and 33.3% in the 2023 playoffs.
Like Jarred Vanderbilt, Davis worked on his jumper in the offseason, so much so that Lakers head coach Darvin Ham wants AD to shoot six three-pointers per game this season.
“I want him, if he can — I know he won’t do it, but maybe he’ll shock me — but I’ve requested to see six 3-point attempts a game,” Ham said. “Three per half, at least. I wouldn’t put that on him if I didn’t think he was capable.”
Davis, who hasn’t shot the ball well from downtown since the 2020 bubble, wants to be a threat from the perimeter again.
“Just getting back to being a threat at all three levels,” Davis said when asked about his outside shot during the team’s annual media day. “Not sure where it’s at until we get into practices and games. Anybody can shoot in workouts and make shots when there’s no pressure on them.”
Davis shot 38.3% from beyond the arc in the 2020 playoffs, helping the Lakers win the championship. Los Angeles needs the Chicago native to shoot like that again.
8. Christian Wood
Christian Wood shot 37.6% from beyond the arc last season for the Dallas Mavericks. He made 105 3-pointers in 67 games.
Wood is a career 37.9% shooter from downtown. He has made 380 shots from beyond the 3-point line since entering the NBA in 2015-16. He is going to be a great asset for the Lakers, who needed more shooters around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Wood averaged 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds for the Mavericks last season. His ability to shoot from the perimeter will create more driving lanes for Lakers guards.
7. LeBron James
LeBron James shot 32.1% from beyond the arc last season in 55 games. He made 121 three-pointers.
James, who turns 39 in December, is a career 34.5% shooter from deep. The future Hall of Famer is the best scorer on the Lakers, but he’s not the top shooter, which is fine since Los Angeles has other players on the roster who can shoot from downtown.
James averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists for the Lakers last season. He is still one of the top players in the NBA despite being the oldest player in the league.
6. Rui Hachimura
Rui Hachimura trained with LeBron James and Phil Handy this offseason. The swingman’s jump shot has looked really sharp in preseason thus far.
Hachimura shot 48.7% from beyond the arc for the Lakers in the 2023 playoffs versus the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, and Nuggets. He made 19 3-pointers in 16 games.
The Lakers are expected to start Hachimura in the frontcourt next to LeBron and Anthony Davis. Hachimura signed a three-year, $51 million contract with Los Angeles in restricted free agency this offseason.
5. Max Christie
Max Christie will get more playing time this season since he’s no longer a rookie. He shot 41.9% from beyond the arc last season and made 26 3-pointers in 41 games.
The 20-year-old Christie gained weight and muscle in the offseason. He should have more confidence this season after a productive summer. Christie led the Lakers in 3-point field goal percentage last season.
4. Gabe Vincent
Gabe Vincent shot 33.4% from beyond the arc last season for the Miami Heat. He made 117 3-pointers in 68 games.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham has already announced that D’Angelo Russell will start over Vincent at point guard in 2023-24. In an interview with Mark Medina of Sportskeeda, Vincent talked about Ham’s decision.
“I just go in there and be me,” Vincent said. “That’s something for D Ham to worry about. I’m not the coach. I don’t set lineups. I just go out there and do my job. I’ll do whatever I can to help this (Lakers) team win games and help this organization win games. As I’ve seen in the past, every night doesn’t always look the same. With that big picture in mind with trying to help us win, I’ll wear whatever hat is needed.”
Look for Vincent to make over 100 3-pointers this season playing next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
3. Taurean Prince
Taurean Prince shot 38.1% from beyond the arc last season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He made 74 3-pointers in 54 games.
Prince is a career 37.2% shooter from downtown. He told reporters at Lakers media day that he will shoot over 40.0% from deep this season. It will be fascinating to see if that happens.
Since entering the NBA in 2016, Prince has made 700 shots from beyond the arc.
2. Austin Reaves
Austin Reaves shot 39.8% from beyond the arc for the Lakers last season. He made 86 3-pointers in 64 games.
Reaves is a career 36.3% shooter from downtown. The rising star re-signed with the Lakers on a four-year, $56.3 million contract in restricted free agency. Reaves averaged 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists last season.
In the 2023 playoffs, Reaves shot 44.3% from beyond the arc. The bright lights clearly don’t affect Reaves’ ability to make shots.
1. D’Angelo Russell
D’Angelo Russell shot 39.6% from beyond the arc last season with the Timberwolves and Lakers. He made 194 3-pointers in 71 games.
Russell is a career 36.2% shooter from deep. He has hit 1,237 three-pointers since entering the NBA in 2015. Most people around the NBA expect Russell to lead the Lakers in 3-point field goals this season.
The Lakers acquired Russell from the Timberwolves at the 2023 February trade deadline. The Ohio State product played well in his 17 games with Los Angeles, averaging 17.4 points and 6.1 assists while shooting 41.4% from downtown. Russell signed a two-year, $36 million contract with the Lakers this offseason in unrestricted free agency.
