Kevin Huerter’s shooting stroke once looked like one of the most reliable in the league. A career 38.5% shooter from deep through his first five NBA seasons, Huerter carved out a reputation as a floor-spacing wing who didn’t need a perfect system to be effective.
His jumper traveled well-whether in Atlanta or Sacramento, it was a steady, repeatable weapon. That consistency is a big part of why the Chicago Bulls were drawn to him in the first place.
But now, midway through the 2025-26 season, the question hanging over Huerter isn’t about fit or upside. It’s much simpler-and far more pressing: What happened to his shot?
Let’s rewind a bit. Huerter’s shooting numbers were rock-solid early in his career, peaking at 40.2% from three in 2022-23.
Even in his “down” year of 2020-21, he still hit at a respectable 36.3% clip. In 2023-24, he dipped slightly to 36.1%, which was still within range of his career norm.
But the following season brought a more troubling trend.
In 2024-25, Huerter connected on just 30.2% of his threes across 45 games with the Kings-a steep drop from his previous standards. Then came the midseason trade to Chicago, and for a brief stretch, it looked like he’d found his rhythm again. In 26 games with the Bulls, he shot 37.6% from deep, a return to form that hinted the slump might’ve been situational or injury-related.
But that bounce-back didn’t last. Through 41 games this season, Huerter is back down to 31.1% from three.
And the numbers only get more concerning the closer you look. Over his last 18 games, he’s shooting just 27.8% from beyond the arc.
In the first 23? Not much better-33.6%.
This isn’t just a cold stretch anymore. We’re talking about two separate 40-game spans over the last two seasons where Huerter has shot 31.1% or worse from deep. That’s a significant sample size, and it’s hard to ignore.
Injuries may be part of the story. Huerter suffered a torn labrum in 2024, and while he’s back on the court, it’s fair to wonder if the shoulder issue altered his mechanics or confidence.
Yet, the post-trade resurgence with the Bulls last season suggests he’s still capable of finding that old form. The shot is still in there-somewhere.
Now, the Bulls are left with a decision. Huerter is on an expiring contract worth just under $18 million, and Chicago is hovering around the .500 mark once again. That makes him a potential trade chip, especially for teams looking to clear cap space or take a low-risk flyer on a once-elite shooter.
But there’s also an argument for patience. Even if the three-point shot hasn’t been falling, Huerter remains a smart, capable wing who can contribute in other ways. He’s shown he can score efficiently inside the arc and still understands how to move without the ball and space the floor-even when the shots aren’t falling.
Still, the clock is ticking. The trade deadline is approaching, and the Bulls have to weigh whether there’s still time to help Huerter rediscover his shooting touch-or if it’s time to pivot toward financial flexibility and future roster construction.
Either way, the days of penciling in Kevin Huerter as a knockdown shooter feel like a distant memory. The question now is whether that version of him is gone for good-or just waiting to resurface in the right situation.