In the modern NBA, the ability to knock down three-point (3P) shots off the dribble at a high volume has become a crucial trait for primary scoring threats. Anthony Edwards has already mastered that skill and is in the middle of a historic dribble pull-up shooting season.
Through the first 36 games of the season, Edwards has canned a league-high 109 3P pull-up (PU) jump shots. Edwards has also made a league-leading 154 3P jumpshots. His hot-shooting start to the 2024-25 season is on pace to place him into elite company alongside some of the league’s greatest 3P shot-creators.
Edwards’s ability to parlay his 3P PU ability threat with his quick first step downhill and driving ability has made him one of the league’s best scorers. Scoring from 3P range off the dribble has always been a part of Edwards’ game. It was one of his most intriguing upside swing traits as a prospect at the University of Georgia. However, finding the proper nuance and efficiency has always been the key to fully unlocking that ability.
In his lone season at Georgia and as a rookie, Edwards’ coaches put him in precarious situations. Tom Crean and Ryan Saunders relied on Edwards to bring a scoring punch while surrounding him with a limited supporting cast. However, by adapting to his situation, Edwards has worked through adversity to develop much quicker. While much of his 29.4% 3P shooting at Georgia was reliant on the rosters’ context, it helped skyrocket his growth moving forward.
Edwards’ 3P shooting has been on an upward trajectory since his time at Georgia. He has increased volume and efficiency over time. However, he’s never made a leap like he has this season.
To begin the 2024-25 season, Edwards has boosted his prior 3PA per game average from its prior single season-high of 8.4 in the 2021-22 season to this season’s mark of 10.0 3PA per game. He has also increased his prior season-high 3P% of 36.9% in the 2022-23 season to 42.9% this season.
No three games have been more evident of that growth than the last three. Over a three-game span between January 4 and 7, Edwards made 23 3P jumpers, a Timberwolves record for the most 3PM over a three-game span. He has found an incredible balance of efficiency, volume, and shot difficulty, shooting 23 of 39 (59%) over those three games.
Since the Timberwolves drafted Edwards first overall in 2020, he has been one of the league’s top PU 3P scorers in terms of volume. Impressively, Edwards ranked 13th in the NBA in PU 3PM as a rookie. He would improve his volume over time, although he has taken considerably more this season.
- 2020-21 | 72 GP | 82 PU 3PM 249 3PA (32.9%) | 13th most PU 3PM
- 2021-22 | 72 GP | 119 PU 3PM 366 3PA (32.5%) | 7th most PU 3PM
- 2022-23 | 79 GP | 122 PU 3PM 361 3PA (33.8%) | 5th most PU 3PM
- 2023-24 | 79 GP | 120 PU 3PM 359 3PA (33.4%) | 10th most PU 3PM
- 2024-25 | 36 GP | 109 PU 3PM 255 3PA (42.7%) | 1st in PU 3PM
Edwards is not only on pace to shatter his prior PU 3P shooting marks in total attempts, but he’s having the most efficient PU 3P shooting season of his career. He’s shooting 9.6% higher on pull-up threes this season than his 33.2% career average over his first 4 seasons. Edwards has already boosted his career average by 1.5 this season in only 36 GP.
If Edwards continues his current pace, he will finish the season with 248 dribble PU 3PM. That mark would be third all-time in dribble PU 3PM per NBA.com’s tracking data that dates back to the 2013-14 season. Edwards only trails a pair of James Harden’s historic prime seasons with the Houston Rockets.
- 2018-19 James Harden | 342 PU 3PM 943 3PA (36.3%)
- 2019-20 James Harden | 259 PU 3PM 739 3PA (35.0%)
- 2024-25 Anthony Edwards | *PACE* 248 PU 3PM (42.7%)
Edwards’s supreme efficiency within his PU 3P shots is unparalleled. If Edwards maintains his 42.7% mark on PU 3P shots, he will be slightly behind two Steph Curry seasons for the third-most efficient season for players that have ranked in the top 10 in a season in total PU 3PA. That means that Edwards is having one of the league’s most efficient high-volume PU 3P seasons of all time.
- 2022-23 Stephen Curry | 152 PU 3PM 337 3PA (45.1%)
- 2015-16 Stephen Curry | 220 PU 3PM 502 3PA (42.8%)
- 2024-25 Anthony Edwards | *PACE* 248 PU 3PM (42.7%)
It is impossible to know if Edwards can continue this hot shooting start because the Wolves are halfway through the season. Regardless, his PU 3P shooting in his age-23 season has been absurd.
Edwards epitomizes the new generation of NBA perimeter creators, showcasing how the NBA has evolved with more 3P volume through primary creators. The league’s best offensive players prioritize hunting 3P shots off the dribble to find more volume overall, not just focusing on the easier catch-and-shoot looks or taking what the defense gives them.
There’s an increased difficulty in creating space to find these 3P shots. Primary creators must deal with their opponent’s best point-of-attack defender, and opponents must send plenty more help.
Attempting 3P jumpers off the dribble requires creativity and situational awareness. It requires finding split-second pockets to get up shots or even launching threes in transition, a spot where Edwards loves to find a rhythm for PU 3P jumpers. Offense and shot generation will also only become more difficult within the halfcourt.
Edwards has taken this large leap in a season where the Wolves diminished his on-court spacing by trading Karl-Anthony Towns, which is incredible. Edwards is in elite company regarding his volume and efficiency. However, the context involved with this season’s Timberwolves offense only highlights how well he’s played.
The Timberwolves have had growing pains offensively to begin the season and rank 21st in ORTG. However, it could have been much worse without Edwards’ heroics, who has found ways to make magic happen from beyond the arc. He deserves much more attention and credit for his ridiculous numbers from 3P range to begin the season.