FanDuel NBA Daily: Fantasy basketball lineup for February 22
Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen has provided stellar FanDuel NBA production in several categories throughout his rookie year.
Versatility is one of the main attributes FanDuel NBA players seek when filling out their lineups and few players have been making an impact in the variety of ways Chicago Bulls rookie Lauri Markkanen has this year.
Entering the 2017 NBA Draft, Markkanen drew comparisons to Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, as both players are seven-footers and capable of changing any game with their prolific long range shooting ability.
Only in his debut season, Markkanen is on pace to bury more 3-pointers than Nowitzki has at any point in his Hall-of-Fame career.
Through 51 contests, Markkanen has made 113 shots from beyond the arc. If he is able to maintain his average of 2.2 made 3-point field goals over the Bulls final 25 contests, he will finish up the year with 168 made 3-pointers.
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In his third NBA season, Nowitzki set a career-high with 151 conversions from 3-point range, the most of any player 7’0″ or taller.
The impact of Markkanen isn’t limited to his ability to stretch out opposing defenses, as he is averaging 7.7 rebounds per game, tied with Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons for the most among first-year players.
Markkanen is in rare company, joining Kevin Love, DeMarcus Cousins, DeMarre Carroll and Dario Saric as the only players to total at least 350 rebounds and 100 made 3-pointers this season. The list only includes Cousins if 30 or more blocks becomes a factor.
The 20-year-old has become a reliable option on both ends of the floor for Chicago and merits strong consideration for any FanDuel NBA lineup.