Who Are The Best Scorers In The NBA Right Now?

As the NBA has moved to a more offensive-heavy system, at the expense of defensive specialties, we are in the midsts of one of the greatest scoring generations of all-time. From Stephen Curry stepping back for a deep three pointer to Giannis barreling his way through countless defenders for an easy dunk.

And with this increased offensive prowess, more-and-more NBA teams are looking to add additional offensive weapons to their rosters to better compete in this new era of basketball. However, some players are simply better at scoring than others.

And whether those shots are taken, and made, from beyond the arc or closer to the rim, these players have shown just how adept they are at scoring and making buckets. So, without further ado, here are the best scorers in the NBA right now.

Stephen Curry

Perhaps the undisputed best pure shooter to ever play the game, Stephen Curry has redefined shooting excellence and has single handedly led to the evolution of the game, providing the impetus for more teams to adopt the three-point shooting first mentality.

A four-time NBA champion and NBA Finals MVP, Steph Curry has averaged 24.3 points per game through his NBA career. However, during that time, he has averaged an astounding 42.8% from the three-point line and has made over 3,100 three-pointers in his time.

The best shooter of all-time, Curry is not only adept from the three-point line but shines from within the arc as well. Similarly, averaging 90.8% from the free-throw line, Curry is simply adept from all corners of the court and has shown his shooting prowess time-and-time again.

Kevin Durant

Standing in at 6’10”, Kevin Durant’s ability to lift himself over an opposing defender provides him with ample spacing to get a clean look off. Tall and quick, Durant is one of the few taller players to be adept at both handling the ball and shooting from beyond the arc and closer to the rim.

Averaging just over 27 points per game through his NBA career, Durant has done so efficiently, currently averaging a field goal percentage just under 50%. Having led the league in scoring in four different seasons, Durant is one of the most deadly shooters and scorers in the NBA right now and continues to provide that offensive output that is expected from an all-star player.

LeBron James

When discussing the best shooters in the NBA right now, it would be difficult to not include LeBron James. Often compared to the venerable Michael Jordan, LeBron James is one of the few players to continue to produce and play despite his older age.

Having entered the league in 2004, LeBron James has averaged 27.1 points per game in his 18-years in the league. And, having averaged just over 30 points per game in the 2021-22 NBA season, his shooting efficiency and abilities continue to expand.

Although a slightly poorer three-point shooter, James has continued to work on his three-point shooting abilities and looks to be increasing his efficiency from long-range, averaging 35.9% from beyond the arc last season as compared to his career 34.6%.

James Harden

James Harden may be best known for his well-kept beard, but the current 76ers all-star is one of the most efficient shooters in the league. Capable of shooting the three with 36% accuracy, Harden is also extremely capable in his ability to drive to the basket and score on the floater or easy layup.

However, what really makes Harden a great player, is his ability to create opportunities for his teammates. Through his shooting efficiency, he demands the respect of opposing players, often necessitating multiple defenders.

Through such circumstances, Harden is able to find an open teammate for a three-point shot or an easy layup situation. This is most widely evidenced through his points per game having decreased last season, as compared to through his career, while his assists per game rose to 10.3 per game, nearly double his career average.

DeMar DeRozan

DeMar DeRozan, in a similar vein to LeBron James, appears to be performing better with time in the league. Having averaged 20.8 points per game through his career, DeRozan’s career high in points per game came in the 2021-22 NBA season, where he averaged just over 27 points.

An adept shooter and overall fantastic defensive player, DeRozan’s play style most closely mirrors Michael Jordan’s, as evidenced by one of the best videos on the subject by JxmyHighroller below.

Carmelo Anthony

While Carmelo Anthony’s player efficiency ratings have gone down in recent years, his willingness to come off the bench and play as a role player are testaments to his team-first mentality. However, particularly for older readers, many of us remember the early days in Carmelo Anthony’s career and his ability to shoot from the deep two.

Similarly, Carmelo Anthony was one of the best players able to create space for himself. His ability to efficiently drive to the basket made him a multi-faceted threat and one that required deep defensive expertise to guard.

Averaging in the high 20’s in points per game for much of his career, Anthony was able to single-handedly run much of the New York Knicks’ offense for many years. And though he has yet to win an NBA Championship, his shooting abilities will always be regarded as one of the best in the game.