There’s no guaranteed way to know who will win the 2026 NBA 3-Point Contest, but betting markets and expert previews make one thing clear: Kon Knueppel and Damian Lillard are the two main favorites right now, with Knueppel slightly ahead.

Quick Scoop

  • Kon Knueppel is entering All-Star Weekend as the betting favorite, with several sportsbooks listing him around the shortest odds in the field.
  • Damian Lillard, a multiple-time past 3-Point Contest champion, is close behind and is widely tipped as the “name” pick to make history with another win.
  • Behind them, Jamal Murray, Tyrese Maxey, Donovan Mitchell, and Devin Booker form a tightly packed second tier of contenders with mid-range odds.

Current odds snapshot

Here’s a simplified view of how major outlets are lining up the field for 2026:

Player| Typical odds range| Narrative angle
---|---|---
Kon Knueppel| About +250 to +380 13579| Rookie specialist with elite catch‑and‑shoot numbers and contest‑friendly profile. 15
Damian Lillard| About +390 to +480 13579| Two‑time past winner who could tie the record for most titles with another win. 1359
Devin Booker| Around +550 to +750 1379| Former champion, but current season percentages not quite at peak levels. 35
Jamal Murray| Around +600 to +650 13579| Smooth pull‑up and spot‑up shooter whose rhythm can translate well in a timed setting. 15
Tyrese Maxey| Around +600 to +650 1379| High‑energy guard with strong volume from deep and the ability to heat up fast. 13
Donovan Mitchell| Around +650 to +800 13579| Multiple appearances under the current format; some analysts like him as a value pick. 13
Norman Powell| Around +800 to +1000 13579| Solid spot‑up marksman, viewed as a live long shot if he gets hot early. 15
Bobby Portis| Around +1200 to +1800 13579| Big man with a reliable set shot from the corners, but still priced as a long shot. 15

How people are leaning

  • Some betting analysts are backing Lillard for the “story” angle: a veteran star chasing a historic third title.
  • Others prefer Knueppel because his rookie season numbers (high three‑point percentage, catch‑and‑shoot profile) fit the rack‑and‑rhythm nature of the contest.
  • A few expert previews mention Mitchell and Murray as value plays in the middle of the board, arguing that their in‑season rhythm and cleaner looks in a no‑defense environment could be a big boost.

If you want a prediction

If you’re asking “who will win the 3 point contest” in the sense of a single pick, the most logical answer right now based on odds plus expert breakdowns is:

  • Safe/favorite pick: Kon Knueppel (market favorite with elite shooting profile).
  • Storyline/experience pick: Damian Lillard , who has already won multiple times and is widely highlighted as a top contender again.

But since it’s one hot round with 70 seconds and 27 balls, any of the top six can realistically win on a heater night.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.