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Trey Lyles will bolster Denver Nuggets’ bench

By Mathew Huff

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 8: Trey Lyles #7 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on January 8, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 8: Trey Lyles #7 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on January 8, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Last season, Trey Lyles finally found a home with the Denver Nuggets.

Trey Lyles was a much better fit with the Denver Nuggets than he ever was with the Utah Jazz. Despite playing in a crowded front court last year, Lyles was able to carve out minutes and was surprisingly more productive than people were expecting.

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While fans continue to complain about the Donovan Mitchell draft pick, again we picked Mitchell for the Jazz, we did not trade him, Lyles has been silently refining his craft.

Per basketball reference, Trey only averaged 6.1 points per game during his Utah Jazz tenure. Just last season, Lyles upped his scoring to nearly 10 points per game (9.9 to be exact).  With this in mind, Lyles is going to be a major staple of the second unit this coming season.

Contrary to popular belief, he does have a jump shot and when he is given significant playing time, he seems to get better as the game goes along. (Credit to James Siegle)

Lyles has the length and size to back post players down as well and is surprisingly versatile as an offensive threat. One of the concerns coming into this year is if the second unit of Denver is deep enough. However, Trey Lyles is going to be their X-factor.

Just last season, Lyles had an effective field goal percentage of 56.6% to go along with an offensive rating of 116, the highest of his short career so far. He may not be the most polished defender, but from an offensive standpoint, the opposing teams cannot sleep on this man. He has a chip on his shoulder to show the Jazz made a mistake and has found his niche within the Mile High City.

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While Isaiah Thomas will certainly be the focal point of the bench, Trey Lyles will also be a key second unit piece to keep an eye on next season.

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