Welcome to another installment of the “Making the Leap,” a series in which I talk about certain players who were under the radar last season that might have a nice breakout year. Today’s player I’ll be talking about is Utah Jazz forward Trey Lyles.
Trey Lyles played his college ball at the University of Kentucky. In his one season there, Lyles averaged 8.7 points and helped the Wildcats reach the Final Four in 2015. He was then selected with the 12th overall selection in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz.
Lyles was not a big factor during the first two months of his regular season. As his rookie season went on he averaged more points when he was receiving more playing time.
Trey Lyles 2015-2016 season averages: 6.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 assists in 17.3 minutes while shooting 43.8% (including 38.3% from three). Played in 80 games and started 33 of them.
This past summer league Lyles was looked at as the main g0-to-guy for the Jazz and dominated. He averaged 20.3 points and 10.3 rebounds during the Utah Summer League.
This season we should see an increase in his 17.3 minutes per game. He should be the main backup to Derrick Favors at the four. The team is also trying him out as a small forward. As the season progresses, he will be looked at as a reliable stretch four of the bench, he just needs to improve his three point shooting.
The Utah Jazz are an interesting team to look at this season. They have a nice young core that has plenty of room to grow. Trey Lyles is one of those guys the Jazz will be hoping works out. If he improves his three point shot and his defensive presence, he should be a nice piece in the Jazz’s future plans.
