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Nuggets: What to expect from Trey Lyles in 2017-18

By Sean Taira

DENVER, CO - JUNE 27: The Denver Nuggets introduce Trey Lyles to the media during a press conference on June 27, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JUNE 27: The Denver Nuggets introduce Trey Lyles to the media during a press conference on June 27, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 14: Trey Lyles
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 14: Trey Lyles /

Weaknesses

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Trey Lyles does need to improve in some areas to become a contributor. One of his biggest weaknesses is rim protection. The past two seasons Lyles allowed opponents to shoot 59.7 percent and 58.4 percent at the rim (per NBA.com), which are subpar numbers. They’re poor.

His rebounding is weak, too. He only averaged 7.3 rebounds per 36 minutes last season, and even though he was playing with bigs like Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert who accounted for plenty, that’s an issue. Lyles is not good enough offensively to be a liability on the defensive end as well.

Another one of Lyles’ weaknesses is his ability to finish at the rim. Lyles shot 54 percent and 54.4 percent the past two years (per nbasavant.com), well below league average of 60 percent. Improving his inside game is vital for him to be successful.

Next: Nuggets season review: Emmanuel Mudiay

That said, Lyles is also still very young, and will turn just 22 at the start of the regular season. He was the 12th pick in a very good draft taken in between Myles Turner and Devin Booker. Lyles hasn’t come close to showing the upside of Booker or Turner, but it is far too soon to write him off as a bust.

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