If you’ve been keeping up with the San Antonio Spurs recently, you’ll know spotting Trey Lyles has been like playing a real-life version of “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” The sixth-year forward began the year buried on the depth chart, found consistent minutes when COVID sidelined several rotation regulars, and has only appeared four times since San Antonio started the second half of their regular-season schedule.
But all the above are merely minor footnotes in the larger picture of the mysterious absence of Lyles, and further context is needed to begin piecing together why he’s no longer playing with the Spurs.