NBA All-Star Weekend 2023: Meet the 3-point, Slam Dunk Contest participants

3-point contest participants (announced)

Lauri Markkanen– Utah Jazz

Lauri Legend has been a dominant force for the Jazz after being traded from the Cavs as part of the Donovan Mitchell trade. Markkanen has been a 3-level scoring machine this season and has set himself atop of the most improved player conversation. He has 162 3point makes this season with near 50/40/90 shooting splits, which is deadly efficient.

Buddy Hield– Indiana Pacers

Another year another 3-point barrage for the Pacers’ Buddy Hield. Buddy has made a living in the NBA off being a high volume high 3-point shooter that can get hot on any given night. Hield won the contest in 2020 and was the runner-up in 2019, so winning the 3-point contest is certainly something he can do.

Tyrese Haliburton– Indiana Pacers

Haliburton joins his teammate Buddy Hield as the second Indiana Pacer selected for the competition. I had the opportunity to watch Haliburton at Oshkosh North High School and Iowa State University, his jump shot continues to make very sizeable improvement every year. He is finally establishing himself as a knockdown shooter in the league. Tyrese shoots 39.9% from downtown.

Anfernee Simons- Portland Trail Blazers

The young scorer continues to impress with his arsenal beyond the arc. The degree of difficulty paired with the volume and percentages of Simons’ shooting has been something else this year. Based on the announced field, simons would be a good pick to win the contest this year. He is up to 38% from deep range on 9.4 attempts per game.

Damian Lillard– Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard gets set to participate in his third 3-point contest and is hunting for his first win. Lillard has made a huge bounce-back year coming off an injury. The 3-point stroke has not skipped a beat for Lillard, and he continues his quest to go down as one of the best shooters to play basketball. In my eyes, Dame has to be the favorite.

Kevin Huerter– Sacramento Kings

It was just recently announced that “Red Velvet” will participate in the 3-point contest and the NBA couldn’t have made a better selection. Huerter’s shooting has been of extreme value to the Kings this year. In his first year as a King, Huerter has quickly shown the league he was held back on a guard-heavy Hawks team. Huerter shoots 39% from deep on a little under 3 makes a game.

Tyler Herro – Miami Heat

Tyler Herro may not have gotten the nod for the NBA All-Star Game but he will have the opportunity to showcase his skill set at the NBA’s 3-point shootout. He has had a solid season for the Heat this year, despite battling injuries. In what has felt like a “down” season in terms of efficiency for Herro, he’s still shooting 37 percent from deep on eight attempts per game.

Jayson Tatum – Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum is leading the top-seeded Boston Celtics and should be a top NBA MVP candidate. He’s one of the best scorers in the league and a really good 3-point shooter, posting 35 percent from deep on nine attempts per game.

Favorite: Damian Lillard

Sleeper pick: Lauri Markkanen/ Kevin Huerter