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NBA teams are shooting more and more three-pointers each year. Entering month two of the 2020-21 NBA season, 28 out of the 30 NBA teams shoot over 30 three-point attempts in each game. The Toronto Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz are all shooting over 40 three-point attempts per game, via teamrankings.com.
This trend is causing 3-and-D swingmen, who can defend out on the perimeter at a high level, to be the most sought-after role players in the NBA today.
*A wing player in basketball, also known as a swingman, can play both the shooting and small forward positions, essentially 'swinging' between the two.*
On that note, we will break down the top five wing defenders in the 2020-21 NBA season. Do note that players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis are not in consideration since they do not primarily defend on the perimeter.
5 best wing defenders in 2020-21 NBA season so far
The ranks are based on a plus-minus statistic that measures the number of points a player contributes to his team’s defense per 100 possession called. It is a Robust Algorithm (using) Player Tracking (and) On/Off Ratings (RAPTOR) the was created by the analytics site, fivethirtyeight.com.
For example, if a player has a defensive RAPTOR rating of +1.5, he improves his team's defensive efficiency by 1.5 points per 100 possessions.
#5 Kawhi Leonard (LA Clippers)
Defensive rating according to RAPTOR: +3.6 | NBA 2020-21
Kawhi Leonard starts the list at number five for best wing defender in the NBA today. In his 10th year, he is still one of the league's best lockdown defenders and when it comes to clutch time in the fourth quarter for the LA Clippers, expect 'The Claw' to be on the opponent's best player.
On top of his +3.6 defensive RAPTOR rating, when Leonard is on the court for the Clippers, according to cleaningtheglass.com, there is a 4.5% increase chance that their opponent's possession will end in a turnover than when he is on the bench.
#4 Luguentz Dort (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Defensive rating according to RAPTOR: +3.9 | NBA 2020-21
Luguentz Dort comes in at number four for the best wing defender in the NBA, with a defensive RAPTOR rating of +3.9.
Dort is a defensive specialist. He made a name for himself in the 2019-20 NBA playoffs when he held James Harden to 3 of 13 from the three-point.
Dort has quick feet and a strong torso allowing him to keep his balance and stay in front of quick and crafty guards.
#3 Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat)
Defensive rating according to RAPTOR: +4.4 | NBA 2020-21
Jimmy Butler is the third-best wing defender in the 2020-21 NBA season thus far.
Bulter has only played six of the 11 games for the Miami Heat this season after being sidelined due to health and safety protocols. However, in these six games, the 31-year-old recorded a +4.4 RAPTOR defensive rating.
Bulter's contagious energy improves the defense of everyone on his Heat team. When the 12th year wing player is on the court, his opponent's expected field goal percentage decreases by 6.5%, according to cleaningtheglass.com.
#2 Talen Horton-Tucker (LA Lakers)
Defensive rating according to RAPTOR: +5.0 | NBA 2020-21
Talen Horton-Tucker has been one of the most talked-about wing defenders in the NBA this season. There have been reports that multiple teams are interested in signing him to increase their perimeter defense. One of those teams is the New York Knicks.
Along with Horton-Tucker's defensive RAPTOR rating of +5.0, when he is on the court for the LA Lakers, he decreases opponents' total three-point accuracy by 4.7%, via cleaningtheglass.com.
#1 Derrick Jones Jr. (Portland Trail Blazers)
Defensive rating according to RAPTOR: +5.1| NBA 2020-21
Derrick Jones Jr. is the top wing defender in the 2020-21 NBA season, with a defensive RAPTOR rating of +5.1.
The most impressive part of the 23-year-old's defensive game is his ability to defend the corner three.
When Jones Jr. is on the court for the Portland Trail Blazers, according to cleaningtheglass.com, their opponent's corner three-point accuracy drops by 18.9%. His remarkable athleticism allows him to jump out and defend three-point shooters on the perimeter quickly.
Guess the Lakers players!
