The NBA today is a long-range
shooter’s league. The 3-point shot is now the foundation of most
offenses and most teams rely on it to create more scoring
opportunities and generate space on the floor. Over 18 teams are
shooting more than 36 threes per game 10 games into the season, a
notable jump from just 12 last year as teams lean heavily into
analytics and allow players to adapt in order to maximize spacing
and scoring efficiency. 

Two generational prospects, 2020
no.1 overall pick Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves and
2023 no.1 overall selection Victor Wembanyama in particular, are
two budding superstars taking the league’s 3-point trend to new
heights. 

Last year, the Boston Celtics
won the NBA Finals by breaking the all-time 3-point rate record.
This season, the Minnesota Timberwolves rank third in the league
for 3-point field goal frequency with 48.6% of their shots coming
from deep – almost half their shots. Edwards is a big proponent of
this being tied for 2nd in the league in three-point attempts at
11.6 per game. This has led Minnesota to the 9th ranked offensive
rating in the league even when they lost stretch big Karl-Anthony
Towns who was one of their main weapons from beyond the
arc. 

Wembanyama himself has stepped
into this 3-point-heavy style, molding his game according to the
current modern NBA trend. Despite shooting poorly at just 23%,
Wembanyama already has attempted 62 threes. Including his 23 mid
range attempts, this would total to 85 shot attempts outside the
paint, a staggering number compared to the 53 shots he’s taken
inside the paint and restricted area.

This has shown contrasting
results to start both of their seasons. But as each of Edwards and
Wembanyama embracing the perimeter game, the question is written on
the wall: are they sacrificing the skills and natural physique that
make them special?

For Edwards, increased shooting
gives him more room to operate and makes defenses respect his
jumper. But by prioritizing long-range shooting, is he leaving his
best attributes behind—attacking the rim and creating contact? And
for Wembanyama, who has a rare 7-foot-4 frame, there’s an
expectation that he’ll dominate inside. But he, too, has embraced
the 3-pointer, raising questions about whether he’s fully utilizing
his size advantage.

Now in his 5th season, Edwards
has become a high-volume 3-point shooter. He has taken more than
half his shots from beyond the arc (104 out of 185 total) and is
hitting them at an impressive 48% clip. Edwards’ three-point volume
is reaching historical highs, as he now holds the third-best start
to a season in terms of 3-pointers made just behind the greatest
shooter of all time Stephen Curry with 50 in 9 games
(50/104).

Most three-pointers in NBA
history through 9 games:

• 55 — Stephen Curry, 2018-19
• 53 — Stephen Curry, 2023-24
• 50 — Anthony Edwards, 2024-25

ANT-MAN GOES OFF! 🐜

37 PTS, 9 threes, and a historic feat—Anthony Edwards joins Steph
Curry as the only players in NBA history with 50+ threes through
the first 9 games of a season! 🐺🏀

📲Watch games live and on demand with NBA League Pass 👉 https://t.co/DiARukKMPn pic.twitter.com/44Mf8PYivP

— NBA Philippines (@NBA_Philippines)
November 9, 2024

Edwards’ jump shooting has
reached levels comparable to Stephen Curry’s historic seasons, a
testament to his improved shooting skill and the willingness to
take more this season. This might have a direct correlation to
Edwards in his Olympic run where he mentioned that Steph has had
the biggest influence on his game. He has made it to a point to
shoot more threes, but has offered a simple yet encouraging
response when asked about it: if the opponents keep going under the screen,
he will take the three every time down the floor.

But as impressive as this may
be, the question lingers: Will Edwards’ 3-point-heavy game
ultimately help him develop as a player or take away from the
strengths that make him one of the league’s most explosive
finishers?

Known for his explosive drives,
Edwards has always excelled at creating contact and finishing at
the rim. His strength and athleticism make him a natural inside
threat, where he can put pressure on defenses and draw fouls.
However, with his increased focus on 3-point shooting, there’s a
noticeable shift in his play style. Instead of attacking and
putting pressure on the rim, he’s often stationed behind the arc,
waiting to catch and shoot or set up a pull-up jumper.

In a recent game against the
Mavericks, Edwards scored 24 points in the first quarter alone by
finding space to shoot. But as Dallas adjusted, switching on
screens and applying more ball pressure, Edwards struggled to
create looks for himself inside. The lesson here? While his 3-point
shot is an asset, his ability to drive to the basket remains his
most reliable weapon.

That said, Edwards’ 3-point
success does have significant upsides. With defenses now forced to
respect his range, he has more freedom to drive or play-make,
potentially creating even more scoring opportunities as teams
spread out to cover him. This evolution may not take away from his
strengths but instead enhance his overall game, giving him options
that make him more unpredictable and difficult to guard.

Wembanyama, like Edwards, has
shown a willingness to stretch his game out to the perimeter. At
7-foot-4, Wembanyama has the size to dominate the paint, yet he
often operates from the 3-point line. While his shooting ability is
impressive for a player of his size, it raises questions about
whether he’s fully maximizing his physical gifts.

When he does work inside, his
height and reach make him nearly unstoppable. However, by spending
significant time on the perimeter, Wembanyama might be reducing his
impact near the rim, where he has a natural advantage. As he
adjusts to the NBA, striking a balance between perimeter shooting
and inside dominance will be crucial for his growth and
effectiveness.

With his shot not yet falling to
start the season, perhaps it would be more beneficial for
Wembanyama if he’s going to start to position himself inside and
shoot over shorter defenders, or station near the paint for an easy
bucket.

For both Edwards and Wembanyama,
balancing their 3-point shot with their unique strengths is key to
reaching their potential. Edwards embracing his rim-attacking
abilities while using his newfound 3-point marksmanship could
maximize his offensive power. For Wembanyama, leveraging his height
in the paint with selective 3-point attempts could establish him as
a multifaceted threat.

Anthony Edwards and Victor
Wembanyama illustrate the NBA’s 3-point revolution, but both face
the challenge of staying true to their best skills. Edwards
shooting more threes may indeed provide new dimensions to his game,
but it’s crucial he doesn’t lose his aggressive drives that make
him a unique talent. And for Wembanyama, balancing his rare size
with perimeter skills could make him one of the most versatile
threats in the league.