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The 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend is now less than three weeks away, and while we now know the starting lineups for each Conference - there is still plenty of speculation regarding who will take part in the 3-Point Contest. At the point of writing, no individuals have been confirmed for the contest, although it is rumored that Duncan Robinson, Luka Doncic, and Trae Young are among the likely participants.
With eight spots available, there is still plenty of room for some of the NBA's other best 3-point shooters to join the contest, and here we will take a look at the five players who should participate in the 2020 Three-Point contest
#5 JJ Redick – New Orleans Pelicans
J.J. Redick may be entering the twilight of his career, although the New Orleans Pelicans star remains among the NBA’s best sharpshooters. Despite the Pelicans’ struggles to remain in the playoff race this season, Redick has enjoyed one of the best shooting years of his career - connecting with 46.5 percent of his 6.7 3-point attempts per contest. His skills were also on full show earlier this week as he connected with 5 of 7 attempts against the Nuggets to move up to the fourteenth spot on the all-time list of three-pointers made.
Redick previously competed in the 2015 and 2016 editions of the Three-Point Contest, although he failed to make much of an impact in crowded fields that included Klay Thompson, James Harden, and Steph Curry. Nevertheless, Redick’s accuracy from deep has only improved over the subsequent four years, and there is no doubt that the 35-year-old should make a third and potentially final appearance.
#4 Danilo Gallinari – Oklahoma City Thunder
Much of Danilo Gallinari’s NBA career has been struck by injuries, although the Italian has been able to stay healthy for much of the past two seasons to establish himself as one of the NBA’s deadliest snipers. After shooting 43 percent from beyond the arc during his final season with the LA Clippers, Gallinari has been able to pull OKC out of their long-time 3-point shooting slump.
Attempting a career-high 7.4 threes per contest, Gallinari is connecting with 41.4 percent of his attempts – putting him among the NBA’s best perimeter shooters. His only prior appearance in the Three-Point Contest came back in 2010 – although Gallinari warrants a return after being snubbed last year.
#3 Damian Lillard – Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers face an uphill battle to make the 2020 playoffs, although Damian Lillard is quietly enjoying a career-year. The 29-year-old is averaging 28.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game - and much of his offensive damage has come from beyond the arc. Following the trend set by Steph Curry, Lillard has become well known for hurling up (and usually knocking down) threes from 30-feet – and his series-clinching shot against the Thunder in the 2019 postseason remains fresh in the memory.
With half of the season played, Lillard is attempting 9.8 three-pointers per game, and despite considerable shot difficulty, he is connecting with an impressive 37.4 percent of his attempts. He may have been eliminated in the first round of the last season's contest, although Lillard would be among the favorites if he is to enter again this year.
#2 Davis Bertans – Washington Wizards
Not much recognition was given to the Washington Wizards’ acquisition Davis Bertans during the 2019 offseason, although the Latvian has been among the breakout players of the season. After taking on a bigger role in Washington, Bertans is quickly becoming one of the NBA's elite wings and is currently attempting 8.7 threes per contest. Despite his high-volume of three-point attempts, Bertans is also among the NBA's most accurate perimeter shooters (42.6%).
During his three seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Bertans also shot 40.4 percent from beyond the arc, and the forward would be a huge threat for the title if added to the Three-Point Contest.
#1 James Harden - Houston Rockets
Over the past few seasons, James Harden has unleashed threes at a record pace, although his last appearance in the Three-Point Contest came back in 2016. Harden scored 15 in 2015 before improving to 20 a year later – and Harden’s participation for a third time would be a huge plus for the event considering the absence of Steph Curry.
Admittedly, Harden's three-point accuracy is sometimes erratic (1-17 against the Thunder) although the Houston Rockets star is connecting with 35.7 percent of his league-high (13.0) attempts per contest. Ultimately, the 2020 3-Point Contest needs a superstar and Harden could use the contest as an opportunity to silence his increasingly vocal critics.
