In consecutive years, the Denver Nuggets on draft night landed themselves a former Kentucky Wildcat who was born in Canada. After selecting Ontario native Jamal Murray with the No. 7 overall pick last year, this year they landed a Saskatoon, Saskatchewan product via a trade.
With the 13th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Denver Nuggets made a trade with the Utah Jazz for Trey Lyles and the No. 24 pick in the 2017 Draft.
Lyles, a 21-year-old power forward, has played in 151 games (37 starts) for the Utah Jazz. He has averaged 16.8 minutes per game for his career and 6.1 points per game.
Lyles shot .438 from the floor in 80 games (33 starts) as a rookie, but saw his numbers decline on most fronts in his second year. He played in only 71 games and started just four. His shooting percentage dropped to .362, although his scoring average climbed ever-so-slightly from 6.1 to 6.2.
At 6-foot-10, 235 pounds, Lyles has the frame but not the scoring prowess to replace the outgoing Danilo Gallinari, who will likely be lost in free agency. His career player efficiency rating is below average at 10.9, so he figures to be a depth piece behind Kenneth Faried.
With the No. 13 pick, the Jazz selected Donovan Mitchell – a lockdown defensive guard from Louisville. Denver already has one of those in Gary Harris, and the other possible targets for Denver at 13 were unlikely to see minutes in Denver’s rotation in year one.
Lyles and Murray did not cross paths at Kentucky (at least not on the court, officially), as Murray played only the 2015-16 season, while Lyles left after his lone year, 2014-15.
Lyles averaged 23 minutes 8.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists for the Wildcats. He was selected 12th overall by the Jazz in 2015.
