Hoops Habit
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5 NBA players who could join the exclusive 50/40/90 club in 2023–24

By Tyler Key

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 27: Trey Murphy III #25 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after dunking against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at Moda Center on March 27, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Amanda Loman/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 27: Trey Murphy III #25 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after dunking against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at Moda Center on March 27, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Amanda Loman/Getty Images) /
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Utah Jazz, NBA Awards
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen and head coach Will Hardy (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

Player #5: Lauri Markkanen – 49.9 / 39.1 / 87.5 shooting splits in 2022-2023

Coming in at 5th most likely to join the 50/40/90 club next season is the Utah Jazz power forward, Lauri Markkanen. While winning the Most Improved Player in 2022-2023 and becoming a first-time all-star, Markkanen also had a super-efficient shooting year, to say the least. He fell just short in all three categories, however, he did essentially shoot 50% from the field and has experience shooting 40%+ from three (40.2% in 2020-2021).

The pieces around him in Utah are theoretically improving and coach Will Hardy will have a full season of head coaching under his belt, which should help Markkanen build on his efficiency. He is also just now entering his prime at age 26 so it is feasible that Markkanen reaches the 50% shooting from the field mark and the 40% three-point shooting mark.

The one area that would be a bit of a stretch would be the free-throw shooting. The Finnish Phenom shot an impressive career-high from the line at 87.5% last season but is just a career 85.8% free-throw shooter, so he may not have the FT consistency yet to join the club.