One-time Piston and recent Sacramento King has signed a deal to join a new team. Just one twist: the team is Real Madrid in Spain’s Liga ACB. Lyles could’ve been a solid veteran minimum signing for multiple teams, including the Pistons but opted to take his talents overseas instead.
Trey Lyles: NBA Backup Power Forward
Lyles is now a 10-year NBA veteran with experience on multiple teams. He was on the Pistons during the 2021-22 season before being dealt in a trade for Marvin Bagley III that ended up having disastrous consequences for the Pistons.
In the three and a half seasons since then, Lyles performed moderately well in the backup power forward role for the Kings. In the 2023-24 season, he shot a very serviceable 38.4% from three while providing legitimate power forward size.
Last season, he had a down shooting year, coming back to Earth with 34% from three. His true shooting ability likely lies somewhere in the middle of these two seasons, around 36% on 3-4 attempts per game. That is where his total averages over his time in Sacramento stand.
Lyles is not good at defending in space but can hold his own against size, especially in the post. His rebounding numbers have also been solid, averaging 4.5 rebounds per game in 19 minutes across his Kings years.
Both of these assessments point to Lyles’ considerable size - he is officially listed at 6’9” and 234lbs. He would be a solid option to have as an emergency power forward for any team, especially one lacking depth at that position like the Pistons.
At this point, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the Pistons will rely on internal growth from their young core to fill the backup power forward void. That is a fine strategy and can provide a long-term solution if it works out, but there is always a risk.
None of the current Pistons outside of Tobias Harris have seen success as a power forward. The upcoming season is set up to be about answering long-term questions rather than obsessing over wins now, but it’s still good to have contingencies.
Lyles would have been perfect as a “break in case of emergency” forward. His decision to sign with Real Madrid likely shows that he was willing to accept a cheaper deal, as European teams are generally not able to offer the same sort of money as the NBA.
The Pistons may still be holding out their remaining roster spot for Malik Beasley, but bargain deals for guys like Lyles can also push them to another tier. Outside of Beasley, anyone signed at this point is unlikely to be a big factor come playoff time but Lyles could’ve been a valuable occasional contributor in the regular season.