Evaluating Sixers draft prospects based on catch-and-shoot percentages

Yahoo

13-05-2025

The lottery has granted the Philadelphia 76ers with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft after a 24-58 season. The Sixers had a miserable season which was supposed to be a season filled with championship contention, but injuries decimated the roster and derailed any type title hopes.
The Sixers then had to turn their attention to the draft. Even though it was a position nobody expected them to be in, they were still able to land one of the top picks in this draft. Philadelphia won't have a chance to select Duke phenom Cooper Flagg, but there will be great options for the Sixers to choose from.
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One skill that is so paramount in today's NBA is shooting. The Sixers always need the floor spaced so Joel Embiid can operate. Here is an evaluation of each option for Philadelphia based on their catch-and-shoot percentages per Synergy Sports:
Tre Johnson, Texas
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 12: Tre Johnson #20 of the Texas Longhorns shoots the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament - First Round at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by)
Johnson shot 39.7% from deep as a freshman for the Longhorns as he showed off his ability to knock down 3s at an efficient rate. Per Synergy, he shot 51-for-125 (40.8%) on catch-and-shoot 3s. On those same catch-and-shoot opportunities, he shot 32-for-77 (41.6%) when he was guarded which shows his ability to knock down looks under duress. He might not be Philadelphia's top choice with that No. 3 pick at the moment, but his shooting ability could make the Sixers change their mind. He is an electric all-around scorer and somebody who can carry an offense for stretches.
Ace Bailey, Rutgers
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 29: Ace Bailey #4 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights looks on against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Welsh-Ryan Arena on January 29, 2025 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by)
Bailey's game is more predicated on his length and being able to put the ball on the floor, but he shot a respectable percentage on catch-and-shoot 3s. He was 36-for-93 (38.7%) on those opportunities and he was 29-for-66 (43.9%) on those chances when he was guarded. For Bailey, it's helpful that he has shown an ability to knock down catch-and-shoot opportunities because he shot just 50-for-151 (33.1%) on shots off the dribble. Either way, his strength is being able to attack the basket and his work ethic figures he should improve as a shooter.
VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
Mar 21, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Baylor Bears guard VJ Edgecombe (7) has the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
Edgecombe is an athletic marvel. When he is able to get downhill, he is tough to stop and figures to be the same at the NBA level. However, if he can show off his 3-point shot, it would be a big help. He shot 45-for-124 (36.3%) on catch-and-shoot 3-point opportunities, which qualifies as good, but could be better. He did shoot 21-for-45 (46.7%) when unguarded on those attempts, which shows his potential. If the Sixers can work with him on his jumper, then he becomes an elite all-around player. He is a plus-driver and makes the right decisions when on the floor. His percentages can improve with the constant work that he has put in and shown at the combine.
Kon Knueppel, Duke
Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Kon Knueppel (7) shoots the ball against Arizona Wildcats guard KJ Lewis (5) during the second half during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
By far the best shooter in this draft, Knueppel shot 77-for-178 (43.3%) on catch-and-shoot 3s and was 36-for-84 (42.9%) on those attempts when guarded. If the Sixers are thinking shooting, then Knueppel has to be near the top of the list. What will hold him back in the race for the No. 3 pick is that he cannot do what guys like Edgecombe, Bailey, and Johnson can which is put the ball on the floor and attack relentlessly. He is a pure shooter, however, and he would be an excellent fit to an offense in need of floor spacing.
Dylan Harper, Rutgers
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 30: Dylan Harper #2 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights looks on against the Texas A&M Aggies in the second half of their game during the Players Era Festival basketball tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 30, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aggies defeated the Scarlet Knights 81-77. (Photo by)
Harper will not likely be on the board at No. 3 as he, in all likelihood, is headed to the San Antonio Spurs with pick No. 2. Just for fun, let's play hypotheticals if he were to somehow be available for Philadelphia at 3. He wasn't much of a catch-and-shoot option as he took only 57 catch-and-shoot 3s. Instead, he took 96 3s off the dribble and knocked down 28 of them for a 29.2% clip. Harper is more of a guy who can put his head down and attack with aggression. The Sixers would rely on him for dribble penetration if they were to be lucky enough to land him.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Evaluating Sixers draft prospects based on catch-and-shoot percentages