Trey Lyles was probably the Spurs’ Plan C after signing Marcus Morris and keeping Davis Bertans. Lyles just happened to be available late in free agency when San Antonio desperately needed some depth at power forward, so they signed him.
Five games into the season, Lyles has gone from afterthought to entrenched starter, getting minutes over the stable of Spurs big men prospects and a more heralded addition, DeMarre Carroll. It’s been one of the most unexpected developments of this young season, something no one could have seen coming.
Yet, even more surprising than watching Lyles get starter’s minutes has been seeing why and how he has gotten those minutes.