Top 5 NBA forwards who need to improve their 3-point shooting in the 2021-22 season

Forwards in the NBA over the last few seasons have been asked to use three-point shots to create more spacing on the court each year. As the number of three-point attempts has increased, so have the number of forwards and wing players taking them. Most star NBA forwards have already adapted their playing style, and many role players take on the 3-and-D name.

Some NBA star forwards have overcome their lack of three-point shooting and still impact their teams. However, if they could find a way to expand their range, they could bring a whole other level to their team's potential. Without further ado, let's look at the five forwards who need to improve their shooting from beyond the arc.

#5 Aaron Gordon, Power Forward, Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon #50

Aaron Gordon is most notably known for his slam dunk contest losses, but he has become an underrated forward over the last few seasons. Gordon took a small step back after being traded to the Denver Nuggets, but he should improve with an entire season with the Nuggets on the way.

During his time with the Orlando Magic last season, Gordon wasn't a bad three-point shooter, making 37% on 4.5 attempts. However, once he got to Denver, his stats fell. In 25 appearances, he shot 26% from three on just 2.6 attempts.

This drop-in production could be blamed on a new team and situation, but he was on his way to career-highs in that first half of the season for the Magic. His career averages are 32% on 3.2 attempts, but those numbers could take a jump up if he plays as he did at the start of the last season.

The Nuggets are looking to push themselves into the NBA Final contenders conversation, with reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr., and Jamal Murray making his return sometime this season. Gordon will play a significant role in the Nuggets' success as part of a talented roster.

Perhaps Gordon's struggles with the Nuggets last season were just a blip, and he can get back to being a respectable three-point shooter and help the Nuggets push for the title.

#4 DeMar DeRozan, Small Forward, Chicago Bulls

Forward DeMar DeRozan taking a contested shot

DeMar DeRozan will be playing his first season for the Chicago Bulls this year after leaving the San Antonio Spurs in a sign-and-trade. For his career, he is just 28% from three-point land and only attempts 1.5 a game.

His best season from three was in the 2017-18 season, where he attempted 3.6 threes a game and made 1.1 of them. That season was both high in attempts and makes from beyond the arc.

DeRozan has never really been asked to become a dead-eye three-point shooter, mainly because his midrange game is so good. However, the Bulls might ask him to take a few more threes than he is used to.

The other main pieces on the roster, Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball, Nikola Vucevic, and Coby White, all had more than five three-point attempts last season and shot over 35%. This means DeRozan won't need to start taking five threes a game, but to at least bring the number over one attempt a game, which it has been under the last three seasons.

#3 Zion Williamson, Power Forward, New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson #1 dunking on Celtics player

Zion Williamson has already made himself a household name in the NBA. He was an All-Star last season, averaging 27 points with 7.2 rebounds per game. Williamson is heading into his third year as a pro, and it would be good to see his three-point shooting at least improve.

He has only taken 0.6 threes per game in his career, making them 33% of the time. In total, he has only taken 48 threes, making just 16 of them in his career.

With Williamson still early in his career, it's hard to be nitpicky about anything, especially with his inside game being so dominant. But if the New Orleans Pelicans want to make a playoff push this season, Zion might need to improve his jumper.

On top of that, the Pelicans lost their most constant outside shooter, Lonzo Ball, to the Bulls, in a sign-and-trade. The Pelicans, as a team, might struggle to space the floor, making it harder for Williams to be dominant in the paint. This might push Williamson to help himself out by spacing the floor on his own.

#2 Jimmy Butler, Small Forward, Miami Heat

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler #22 driving into the paint

Jimmy Butler is one of the best forwards in the league, somehow in a league that prioritizes outside shooting. Butler does everything else on the court so well that it overshadows his poor three-point shooting numbers.

Early in his career, Butler gradually became a better three-point shooter, but for some reason, since signing with the Miami Heat, his attempts and percentages have dipped.

This could be because Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has asked Butler to take on more offensive responsibilities. In both of the last two seasons, Butler has averaged more assists each season, six assists in year one and 7.1 in year two. Becoming more of an offensive playmaker while also exerting so much energy on the defensive side of the ball seems to have affected his three-point shooting.

Butler also plays with Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro, who are both great three-point shooters in their own right, so his three-point shooting is not needed. The Milwaukee Bucks dominated the Heat in the first round of the playoffs, exposing a lack of three-point shooting on the Heat's roster.

Kyle Lowery should help Butler a lot this season, as Lowery can run some of the offense for Butler to conserve some energy. This could see a rise in his attempts and percentage throughout the season.

#1 Giannis Antetokounmpo, Power Forward, Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo taking the ball up the court

No surprises here, but the NBA world has been clamoring for Giannis Antetokounmpo to improve his three-point shooting. The two-time MVP is arguably one of the best players in the league and cemented that with his 2020-21 Finals MVP.

Still, it feels like the Greek Freak could get even better, to levels we have never seen before. His inside game is undeniably great, scoring 50 points in a close-out game in the NBA Finals, but pairing that with a reliable jumper is unstoppable.

Since being drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2013, Antetokounmpo has only gotten better every year, and over the last two seasons, the same can be said about his three-point shooting. In the previous two seasons, Antetokounmpo is attempting 4.1 three-pointers and making 30% of them.

His jump shot is not respected, allowing defenses to play off him, forcing him to make deep shots or drive into traffic. Sometimes he makes the shots the defense challenges him to make, but defenses will live with that. Antetokounmpo can still make it to the paint with teams sagging off, but it would be a lot easier if they had to respect his jumper.

Antetokounmpo has had success without really incorporating a three-point shot into his game. It's more of what he could be with just an avenge 35% on five three-point attempts could be the most dominant player in the NBA.