2017 Player Outlook: Trey Lyles
By Mathew Huff
Trey Lyles is one of the new acquisitions for the Nuggets coming into the new season.
While the trade on draft night was not the most popular one, Trey Lyles has been doing well for the Nuggets so far this preseason.
More from Nugg Love
- Was trading Bones Hyland a mistake for the Denver Nuggets?
- Did Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets break Anthony Davis?
- Denver Nuggets stars face serious disrespect in recent NBA rankings poll
- What will it take for Denver Nuggets star to become ‘inevitable?’
- Denver Nuggets NBA Training Camp report, other preseason dates to know
He is currently in heated battle for the back up power forward spot with veteran Kenneth Faried. In the win over the Lakers on October 4, he logged four steals showcasing his defensive potential. He is a player who is more versatile than people realize and part of this is due to his first two seasons with Utah being somewhat quiet.
Perhaps with Denver, he will find more of a solidified role and be able to show why the Nuggets were interested in drafting him when he first entered the league. Lyles has underrated length and this is something Denver desperately needs after finishing as one of the worst defensive units last year.
With Trey and his length, they can utilize him off the bench as a good rim protector who can space the floor on offense. He can serve as a last line of defense if one of the perimeter players gets beaten and tries to attack the basket for an easy bucket.
The trade may be one of the more underrated moves of the off season as many fans were not happy with it at the time, but if he keeps playing like he is, then Lyles will easily find a key role on this squad. Trey may not have had a definitive with the division rival Utah Jazz, but he may have found a new home with the Denver Nuggets.
If he can keep playing well, then he will be one of the better acquisitions of Denver’s off season. Let’s hope he will be a revelation this coming season.