Who are the best 3&D players in the league right now?

[MavsDirk41]

PJ Washington

[Eric Millegan]

Herb J, Jaden McDaniels, OG, Bridges, Cam J, Trey Murphy

Carter Bryant to join that group very soon. Camara would be near top of list if he could shoot

He can shoot and he should be at the top of the list. 38% last year.

[-Luke-]

I would be interested in the opinion of user Long2_noD on this topic.

[cupcakesnake]

Herb J, Jaden McDaniels, OG, Bridges, Cam J, Trey Murphy

Carter Bryant to join that group very soon. Camara would be near top of list if he could shoot

Jaden is a pretty mediocre 3-point shooter. His role on offense is to attack the rim. He'll shoot corner 3s if left open but his strength is as a driver. Cam Johnson is not a good defender.

Kinda feel OG and Bridges do a little too much on offense to be called 3&D. OG, I think it's fair because he's still getting most of his offensive value through spot up shooting, but Bridges runs a ton of pick & roll and has a below average 3-point rate. Trey Murphy really got a ton of on-ball reps for New Orleans this year too, averaging 21ppg and 3apg, doing plenty of PnR and DHO action, while also getting a lot of his offense in transition.

Herb Jones still very much needs to prove the 3.

Basically, I'm saying none of these guys are quite 3&D

[cupcakesnake]

I would be interested in the opinion of user Long2_noD on this topic.

Demar Derozan where you at?

[Moahst]

Dillon Brooks. His reputation for antics has made him criminally underrated as one of the best 3&D guys in the league. 39.7% from deep on 6.3 APG last season. Stifling, smart defense, and Dillon always guards the other teams best player whether it's Wembanyama or Anthony Edwards. I think on a less disciplined team he becomes a little bit of a liability, but he was the best 3&D player I've seen on the Rockets since Trevor Ariza.

[Liam_Gallagher]

A lot of these players aren't 3&D, they're just guys who play defense and can hit threes at times. Lots of them are playmakers, which 3&D players typically aren't, their value comes from spreading the floor and heaving threes while the star players go to work in the paint. Think Danny Green type of guys.

Right now, it's guys like DFS, Quinton Grimes, Josh Green, Royce O'Neal and Cam Johnson.

[Mamba Mentality]

Nicolas Batum deserves more recognition. Even at 36 he's still a high impact, versatile defender and shot a career best 43% from three last year.

[Wingy]

Herb J, Jaden McDaniels, OG, Bridges, Cam J, Trey Murphy

Carter Bryant to join that group very soon. Camara would be near top of list if he could shoot

Jaden is a pretty mediocre 3-point shooter. His role on offense is to attack the rim. He'll shoot corner 3s if left open but his strength is as a driver. Cam Johnson is not a good defender.

Kinda feel OG and Bridges do a little too much on offense to be called 3&D. OG, I think it's fair because he's still getting most of his offensive value through spot up shooting, but Bridges runs a ton of pick & roll and has a below average 3-point rate. Trey Murphy really got a ton of on-ball reps for New Orleans this year too, averaging 21ppg and 3apg, doing plenty of PnR and DHO action, while also getting a lot of his offense in transition.

Herb Jones still very much needs to prove the 3.

Basically, I'm saying none of these guys are quite 3&D

Largely agree, guys are more than the niche role, not so much 3, etc. I would say Herb at career nearing 37% is close enough given he just had his worst 3p shooting season and ended up having shoulder surgery. Who knows how long that might have pulled down his %. Though he did have the one season in his 3rd year that is largely responsible for his %. So was that a sign of career growth, or an outlier?..so I do see what you mean even with him.

For me a guy like Nesmith stands out.

[tamaraw08]

Derrick White for me although Dort if he shoots above 38% for the 3rd straight time might dislodge him because he plays better defense imo.
Alex Caruso and Josh Hart makes my top 4.

[HotelVitale]

Derrick White for me although Dort if he shoots above 38% for the 3rd straight time might dislodge him because he plays better defense imo. 4.

White does way way more than shoot 3s on offense though. Dort I think is much closer.

3D used to be a term for a guy who was like a 5th starter who would help you on both ends despite not being anything close to a star. He would space the floor reliably so your offense could flow, and then take some tougher defensive assignments to elevate that end and give the better guys a rest.

But that’s it. Guys who are also sick passers or initiators or whatever—and/or guys who get paid a ton of money—don’t really fit the bill. It’s really your 5th starter who’s low volume and just facilitating thjngs. This is all semantics but it seems like we don’t need the term anymore if we’re just talking about guys who can shoot 3s and play defense, regardless of anything else they can do.

[AleksandarN]

AG has turned himself into a shooter now.

[brackdan70]

There are some good answers but the top answer to this question is Derrick White. Guy lives and breathes the term.

Great defender and high volume 3 point shooter.
He is much more than a 3 and D guy though as a solid primary ball handler.

[tamaraw08]

Derrick White for me although Dort if he shoots above 38% for the 3rd straight time might dislodge him because he plays better defense imo. 4.

White does way way more than shoot 3s on offense though. Dort I think is much closer.

3D used to be a term for a guy who was like a 5th starter who would help you on both ends despite not being anything close to a star. He would space the floor reliably so your offense could flow, and then take some tougher defensive assignments to elevate that end and give the better guys a rest.

But that’s it. Guys who are also sick passers or initiators or whatever—and/or guys who get paid a ton of money—don’t really fit the bill. It’s really your 5th starter who’s low volume and just facilitating thjngs. This is all semantics but it seems like we don’t need the term anymore if we’re just talking about guys who can shoot 3s and play defense, regardless of anything else they can do.

Last year, White's 3pt attempt rate was a really high 72%, taking more than 9/game or 13.5/100.
It's not like he does iso's or attack the basket (just .082) per bbref and he is not exactly a floor general, dictating tempo and constantly setting up teammates at less than 5 assists/game.
Tatum and Brown are the focal scorers and KP takes more shots than him.
I understand that Derrick doesn't simply camp outside the 3pt line and chucks, yes he does more than that but I just don't limit that 3&D term to guys who just defends and just take 1-2 dribbles and shoot 3's.

[cupcakesnake]

Herb J, Jaden McDaniels, OG, Bridges, Cam J, Trey Murphy

Carter Bryant to join that group very soon. Camara would be near top of list if he could shoot

Jaden is a pretty mediocre 3-point shooter. His role on offense is to attack the rim. He'll shoot corner 3s if left open but his strength is as a driver. Cam Johnson is not a good defender.

Kinda feel OG and Bridges do a little too much on offense to be called 3&D. OG, I think it's fair because he's still getting most of his offensive value through spot up shooting, but Bridges runs a ton of pick & roll and has a below average 3-point rate. Trey Murphy really got a ton of on-ball reps for New Orleans this year too, averaging 21ppg and 3apg, doing plenty of PnR and DHO action, while also getting a lot of his offense in transition.

Herb Jones still very much needs to prove the 3.

Basically, I'm saying none of these guys are quite 3&D

Largely agree, guys are more than the niche role, not so much 3, etc. I would say Herb at career nearing 37% is close enough given he just had his worst 3p shooting season and ended up having shoulder surgery. Who knows how long that might have pulled down his %. Though he did have the one season in his 3rd year that is largely responsible for his %. So was that a sign of career growth, or an outlier?..so I do see what you mean even with him.

For me a guy like Nesmith stands out.

In general, the 3&D archetype is a lot more relevant in the 2000s and 2010s. Nowadays, standstill shooters are rarely good enough on offense to be that valuable. You have to be able to attack a close out, or do some movement shooting (or shooting off the dribble), or really just anything (playmaking, elite cutting, transition offense etc.) to contribute to good team offense.

I think Nesmith is a good pull here, but playing next to an elite playmaker always makes shooters/finishers more valuable. Nesmith on a random team (that doesn't have Hali, Jokic, Trae, or Luka) might not be as valuable. Indiana's offense also gets everyone doing stuff in pick & roll, so Nesmith gets reps both as the roll man and the ball handler.

If Herb shoots it well next year, we can call him a good shooter. The sample size is still way too small to confirm he's gotten there. His 3-year wide open 3-pt% is only 33%. I think the jury is still out.

[SkyBill40]

He's not quite there yet on the 3 part, but the D is definitely strong with Ryan Dunn. I'm interested to see where he goes with increased minutes in his sophomore season.

[mkot]

AG has turned himself into a shooter now.

AG doesn't pull defender out to the perimeter the way MPJ does now CamJo

And I see CamJo's name comes up several times in this thread. Why? When did he become a good to elite defender? He is above average, better and smarter than MPJ but he is not good enough to be called 3&D. KCP on the Lakers and Nuggets are your archetype 3&D

Superstars like Kawhi and Edwards are the best of the best but they are more than just 3&D. So to me, a true 3&D is a defensive minded guard/wing who required to be face guarded because he shot damn near 50% on wide open catch and shoot 3.

Caruso is a popular name but teams dare him to shot

So to me, it's Derrick White & Aaron Nesmith.

Derrick White has the reputation. Aaron Nesmith is shooting 48% on catch and shoot wide open 3

[AleksandarN]

AG has turned himself into a shooter now.

AG doesn't pull defender out to the perimeter the way MPJ does now CamJo

And I see CamJo's name comes up several times in this thread. Why? When did he become a good to elite defender? He is above average, better and smarter than MPJ but he is not good enough to be called 3&D. KCP on the Lakers and Nuggets are your archetype 3&D

Superstars like Kawhi and Edwards are the best of the best but they are more than just 3&D. So to me, a true 3&D is a defensive minded guard/wing who required to be face guarded because he shot damn near 50% on wide open catch and shoot 3.

Caruso is a popular name but teams dare him to shot

So to me, it's Derrick White & Aaron Nesmith.

Derrick White has the reputation. Aaron Nesmith is shooting 48% on catch and shoot wide open 3

My point is AG will get the attention if he continues to shoot the way he has. Definitely a 3 and D guy now with his improved shooting

[mkot]

My point is AG will get the attention if he continues to shoot the way he has. Definitely a 3 and D guy now with his improved shooting

We will see how teams will be guarding AG this upcoming season after shooting 40+% last season. I still think team will take the chance to double team Jokic.

Especially in the playoffs, despite the improved % both the Clippers and the Thunders are leaving him open, dare him to shoot while still face guarding MPJ even though he is not making them with an injured shoulder. Teams simply leave both Braun/Westbrook and AG open to double team the Jokic and Murray 2-man game so they always have 4 on the 2 and then 1 on MPJ. And AG doesn't shot contest 3 the way MPJ does/likes, he just doesn't have the mechanic and release to get shot off quickly