A new addition to the Nuggets this fall, Trey Lyles, has been playing very well for the Nuggets.
In fact, I believe that Lyles has been underplayed during the first part of the season. Lyles has proven to be a reliable option off of the bench so far, but does not get many minutes. For example, he actually started in the loss against the Boston Celtics, but played the second-least minutes out of the players starting.
Is it time for Coach Malone to notice the player that Lyles is? I say that the answer is yes, and it could be a game-changer for them. The stat-line that he is currently holding states that he could be a reliable bench option.
According to basketball-reference, Lyles is averaging seven points (career high) and 3.4 rebounds per game. The funny thing is that he is actually playing on the lowest minutes averaged per game in his three-year career. He’s a three-point shooter as well, shooting a fantastic 48 percent from beyond the arc.
Playing Lyles gives the Nuggets a type of edge that allows them to stretch the floor. Instead of a one-dimensional power forward to look out for, he attributes to the three-point shooting game as well.
In a game against the Detroit Pistons, Lyles was a bit overshadowed by the play of Jamal Murray. In this game, he had 20 points and four rebounds, while going 7-7 from the floor! This included a three-for-three performance from deep for him as well, as the Nuggets blew out the Pistons on their own floor (per ESPN).
The guy has shown that he has what it takes to increase his playing time, it’s only up to Coach Malone to do it.