Including veterans and some sharpshooting wings that shift momentum at both ends, these are the NBA’s elite 3-and-D specialists right now.
Ranking The 20 Best 3-And-D Players In The NBA Right Now originally appeared on Fadeaway World.
The modern NBA idolizes volume scorers and flashy playmakers, but if you dive deeper into a championship-caliber formula, nothing beats having a handful of lethal 3-and-D players who can defend hellaciously and hit open threes. Essentially, wings and forwards who lock down opponents, mess up offenses, and then immediately punish you from beyond the arc.
They might never win MVPs, but few things swing a game like a defensive stop followed by a dagger three, and the 20 standouts below do it better than anyone. Let's get into the list.
20. Franz Wagner
3-And-D Stats: 1.3 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 104.4 Def Rtg, 29.5% 3-PT FG
Franz Wagner is one of the most polished young wings in today’s NBA, embodying a quietly powerful blend of defensive intuition and offensive savvy. Averaging 1.3 steals per game and boasting a season-long Defensive Rating of 104.4, he’s a consistent disruptor who can switch across multiple positions without losing his cool.
Offensively, Wagner’s elite scoring (24.2 PPG) and solid playmaking (4.7 APG) anchor Orlando’s spacing, even if his three-point stroke (29.5%) isn’t elite yet. Don’t sleep on his evolving shot; it has improved every season, and when he hits rhythm, the floor stretches. We expect growth in this end next season, and that's why he ranks 20th.
19. Kawhi Leonard
3-And-D Stats: 1.6 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 110.4 Def Rtg, 41.1% 3-PT FG
We’re loath to downgrade Kawhi Leonard, but age is a thief, and at 34, his elite shutdown days have been tempered by wear. Still, he averages 1.6 steals and 0.5 blocks a game; his defensive team impact is profound, just not night-in-night-out as at his peak.
His 41.1% 3P clip shows the range is still live, and he’s still capable of a game-changer. However, this isn't prime Kawhi we are talking about. He can barely get on the court for a stretch of games, and he can lock up anyone at times, but not as much as he used to. Arguably, a top-10 3-and-D player of all time isn't what he used to be, until further notice.
18. Jimmy Butler
3-And-D Stats: 1.4 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 113.3 Def Rtg, 30.8% 3-PT FG
Jimmy Butler doesn’t get the 3-and-D label as often, but he arguably is the prototype when his three is falling. Averaging 1.4 steals and sporting a 113.3 defensive rating, he’s still a perimeter predator who carries defensive weight. And yeah, he hits triples when he's hot, enough to keep you honest, especially late in close games.
Butler’s two-way impact hinges on his fear factor and intensity. He’ll lock up a wing in the fourth quarter, hit a contested three, and then push the pace across halfcourt. The Warriors have one of the best perimeter players of his era, but his lower ranking mainly comes from his seemingly loss of confidence from deep after only attempting 2.3 per game last season.
17. Dorian Finney-Smith
3-And-D Stats: 0.9 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 116.9 Def Rtg, 41.1% 3-PT FG
Dorian Finney-Smith is the archetype of glue, reliable, sturdy, and no-frills. He’s rocking nearly 1 steal and half a block per game, and defenders respect his corner 3 prowess at over 40%. He rarely makes mistakes, and that’s his value: function over flair.
He will rotate into help defense, box out for rebounds, and when the ball swings to him wide-open…he will make the shot. Championship-caliber role-player energy without the ego is what DFS delivers, and the Lakers will certainly miss him.
16. Dillon Brooks
3-And-D Stats: 0.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 114.5 Def Rtg, 39.7% 3-PT FG
Dillon Brooks embodies the chaos of 3-and-D with swagger: he’s the kind of player who’ll hit a 39.7% triple off the catch, then throw himself into the passing lane for a steal or shutdown wing coverage. While his defensive rating (114.5) occasionally betrays a lapse, he shows elite status flashes.
Offense is simpler with Brooks: rhythm permitting, he pours in over 10 points per night in 30+ minutes of aggressive wing play while spacing the floor with consistent shooting. The Houston Rockets had to lose Brooks in order to get Kevin Durant, but they will certainly miss his presence as an enforcer on the wing.
15. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
3-And-D Stats: 1.3 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 111.7 Def Rtg, 34.2% 3-PT FG
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is the veteran’s veteran, smooth shooter, and seasoned defender whose 3P% sits comfortably above the league mean. He’s never going to lead with flash, but he’ll lead quiet calendars: take charges, close out tight, spot up from deep.
Think of him as tunable: plug KCP into your snipers’ 4th-quarter rotation and expect corner triples and scrappy D consistently. KCP would normally rank higher, but a slight decline in his three-point shot and a slight decrease in defensive consistency in a difficult season knock him back a few spots.
14. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
3-And-D Stats: 0.6 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 114.0 Def Rtg, 38.1% 3-PT FG
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a mid-major story come to life, a guard who’s built enough length and toughness to hold his own on defense while delivering 38.1% threes. His size gives him enough versatility to switch on smaller wings, and he willingly absorbs tough defensive matchups.
He’s not a turnover terror, and his 3-and-D feels crafted, but he’s carved enough niche in playoff rotations to earn placement here. The Atlanta Hawks paid a decent sum to sign him in free agency because he fits a perfect 3-and-D mold for any team with playoff aspirations.
13. Keon Ellis
3-And-D Stats: 1.5 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 113.6 Def Rtg, 43.3% 3-PT FG
Explosive, energetic, and elite in a limited time, Keon Ellis has exploded onto the radar. He’s a full-time pest on defense (1.5 SPG) and strokes threes at better-than-43%, a lethal combo that teams dream of.
He’s new school in how he plays: fly around defensive lanes, prompt turnovers, then instantly flex spacing with a catch-and-shoot look. He’s not a defensive anchor yet, but the shooting spark and chaos-maker every bench needs and is quietly becoming a key player in the NBA.
12. Jalen Suggs
3-And-D Stats: 1.5 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 104.8 Def Rtg, 31.4% 3-PT FG
Jalen Suggs is pure defensive capability and flashes potential as a catch-and-shoot threat, although his three-point mark was low last season. He may struggle with consistency right now, but it’s clear he’s on the cusp of harnessing that two-way game.
Offensively, Suggs attacks closeouts with fearlessness, showing glimpses of his shot creation and spacing vision off-ball. Defensively, his lateral quickness and aggression make him a pest to both shooters and drivers. The Magic know what they are building, and Suggs fits that mold.
11. Josh Hart
3-And-D Stats: 1.5 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 112.1 Def Rtg, 33.3% 3-PT FG
Josh Hart is grit with a dash of muscle; he dives for boards, smothers open lanes, and is the definition of tough. He hovers over 1 steal and nearly half a block per game and brings hustle so contagious it infects the rest of his team. Hart played a career-high 37.6 MPG last season because he is so invaluable.
His 33.3% from deep is solid for a power forward/wing tweener, helping stagger lineups and spread the floor. It won’t blow your hair back, but when Hart nails the occasional corner triple after scrapping for the rebound, that’s two-way efficiency in action.
10. Andrew Wiggins
3-And-D Stats: 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 113.5 Def Rtg, 37.4% 3-PT FG
Andrew Wiggins remains an enigmatic mix of “off nights” and ceiling-defining performances. While his defensive rating sits higher than the elite shutdown wings, his physical tools and 1.0 steals per game still make him a valuable perimeter deterrent. He’s the type of wing who might frustrate first-quarter opponents, even if the box score doesn’t scream it.
From behind the arc, Wiggins is a solid 37.4% sharpshooter, not elite, but trustworthy in catch-and-shoot spots. Despite being traded mid-season to the Miami Heat, Wiggins is consistent on both ends and that is why the Los Angeles Lakers have been scrambling to acquire him.
9. Jaden McDaniels
3-And-D Stats: 1.3 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 111.3 Def Rtg, 33.0% 3-PT FG
Jaden McDaniels brings length and hustle with his wingspan to impact shots on the perimeter or rim. Nearly averaging a steal and a block per contest, he’s a Swiss-Army blade defender who can switch across up to four positions. His Def Rtg clocks around 111 despite still dealing with growing pains.
His three remains streaky, hovering in the 33% range, but when focused on catch-and-shoot roles, he finds rhythm. Think of him as a two-way project that’s trending up; when he clicks, weird things happen to opposing offenses. We expect McDaniels to climb closer to the top five on this ranking sometime next season.
8. Herbert Jones
3-And-D Stats: 1.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 119.4 Def Rtg, 30.6% 3-PT FG
Herbert Jones is the value pick in any 3-and-D conversation, a pure disruptor with shifting angles, puzzle-piece positioning, and ferocious on-ball defense. He’s starred in the Pelicans’ rotation with 1.9 steals per game and nearly half a block, sitting at a 119.4 Defensive Rating in 2024-25.
Shooting isn’t his best skill yet, 30.6% from deep, but he uses his otherworldly length (7’0" wingspan) to get open looks and rotate into catch-and-shoot spaces. Still, we believe he will improve his three-pointer next year, and any team needing a 3-and-D wing will always remember Jones among many other players.
7. Aaron Gordon
3-And-D Stats: 0.5 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 116.2 Def Rtg, 43.6% 3-PT FG
Aaron Gordon isn’t your prototypical catch-and-shoot wing, but he has learned to keep defenses honest from deep. Consistently defending the opposing team's best forwards and bigs, his energy yields visible two-way plays, and his three-pointer was lethal last season.
He’s built for chaos: dunk-heats, high-fly shots, scrambling twice to make a loose run. When motivated, he’s essentially a whirlwind for the Denver Nuggets and unless they net a top-10 player, the franchise will never consider trading him.
6. Mikal Bridges
3-And-D Stats: 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 118.0 Def Rtg, 35.4% 3-PT FG
Mikal Bridges is the archetype of 3-and-D excellence: his form on the wing, his contest-level, and his posture off the ball scream consistency. He brings aggressive steals (0.9 SPG) and spatial containment, tagging it with a crisp 35.4% from deep.
What sets Bridges apart is his polish: elite spacing, selectivity, and defense with leverage. He doesn’t scramble; he anticipates and punishes. His three-point shots can be streaky, but he has made enough shots in the playoffs to earn a spot this high. Bridges may not turn heads nightly, but his two-way reliability is key for the New York Knicks.
5. Alex Caruso
3-And-D Stats: 1.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 103.8 Def Rtg, 35.3% 3-PT FG
The ultimate glue guy with swagger and swagger’s worth, Alex Caruso knows exactly when to punch the ball, when to laser-spot the net, and when to body up a perimeter threat. The two-time NBA champion is the key piece behind two winning teams over his career and has to be in our top five.
Caruso’s 3-and-D impact is in the little things that become game-changers: punch passes, baseline cuts, that low-key corner triple that freezes crowds. He’s the defensive heartbeat for the Thunder alongside Lu Dort, and one of the most underrated players over the last decade.
4. Luguentz Dort
3-And-D Stats: 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 109.9 Def Rtg, 41.2% 3-PT FG
Big-spirited and fearsome, Luguentz Dort is an attitude enforcer who brings intensity every single night. He might not light it up from deep every night, but he did nail over 40% from three while guarding the opponent’s best wing. An NBA champion and All-NBA First Team member, it is no surprise to see him in the top five.
Offensively, Dort has learned to be surgical: pick-and-rolls, quick catch-and-shoots, the occasional step-back. But still, Dort’s defense sets the tone, his 3-point contributions are real, and his tenacity remains unmatched in the halfcourt grind.
3. OG Anunoby
3-And-D Stats: 1.5 SPG , 0.9 BPG, 114.5 Def Rtg, 37.2% 3-PT FG
OG Anunoby is the textbook definition of 3-and-D. He straddles positions 1-4, his 1.5 SPG and 0.9 BPG underlining that length and timing, while his 37.2% from deep stays just enough above the arc to keep defenses honest. A former All-Defender for a reason, the Knicks are happy to have him.
On offense, OG plays with edge: he’ll size you up, step into your chest for a pump-fake, and launch a corner triple with calculated confidence. He isn’t the flashiest, but his production in clutch stretch runnings is undeniable, corner 3s, defensive switches, isolation toughness, OG knows how to tilt the balance.
2. Desmond Bane
3-And-D Stats: 1.2 SPG , 0.4 BPG, 113.4 Def Rtg, 39.2% 3P-FG
Desmond Bane is the sniper you want patrolling the wing at both ends. With 1.2 steals per game and a 39.2% 3PT clip, he’s the fringe All-Star who’ll swipe your pocket then bury a catch-and-shoot three before you blink. Even with a Defensive Rating sitting at 113.4, Bane flies under the radar but consistently influences outcomes in ways that matter.
He’s not a flash-terror but a reliability machine, a smooth two-way wing who can carry 19+ points, 6 boards, and 5 assists while still locking in defensively when you need it most. That is why the Orlando Magic paid a premium of four first-round picks to get him.
1. Derrick White
3-And-D Stats: 0.9 SPG , 1.1 BPG, 112.1 Def Rtg, 38.4% 3-PT FG
Derrick White is the glue guy because he’s as reliable as they come, scoring 16.4 PPG while his intangibles show up in crunch-time defense and timely blocks. White’s ability to switch onto guards or wingtips mid-possession and still hit a corner triple keeps schemes honest time and time again.
On the 3-and-D front, White’s over 38% efficiency from three meshes with his Defensive Rating of 112.1, elite territory for perimeter stoppers. As an NBA champion and one of the most untouchable players in the NBA, White is the epitome of 3-and-D.
Related: 10 Most Overrated NBA Players In The Last 10 Years
This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
