Earlier this year, the Nuggets and Jazz were involved in a trade that sent the 13th pick (Donovan Mitchell) of the 2017 NBA Draft to the Jazz in exchange for the 24th pick and Trey Lyles. Historically, players usually feel an indifference towards the teams that trade them. On Friday night, the Nuggets will face the Jazz in a reunion game for Lyles. According to Gina Mizell of the Denver Post, Lyles isn't harboring any animosity towards his former team for trading him on draft day.
#Nuggets Trey Lyles on facing the Jazz, his former team, for the fourth time: "It kind of feels normal. I don’t carry grudges with me. It’s fine. It’s a business. I realized that at an early stage in my career and I’m fine with that. I’m just looking forward to my future."
— Gina Mizell (@ginamizell) January 5, 2018
For the Nuggets, Lyles is playing well. He is averaging 9.7 points and 4.7 assists, while shooting 38% from deep. He has received consistent minutes as a stretch-four for a Nuggets team that is aiming to make the NBA Playoffs. According to Aniello Piro of Mile High Sports, head coach Mike Malone had nothing but praise in response to Lyles' recent play.
“Obviously, right now he’s shooting really well from the three-point line, and we hope that continues. We all knew that Trey was a very talented player, and now the only thing that has changed is that he has an opportunity because of some of the injuries we have sustained. He’s really skilled; he can put the ball on the floor, he can shoot the ball, and I think he is a sneaky athlete. I think some of the finishes he’s had — some of the dunks he’s had — showcases his ability to get up and finish at the rim, in paint and traffic.”
Lyles may not have any bad blood with his former team, but he seems ready for a productive performance against the Jazz on Friday night.
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