Trey Lyles says he ‘100%’ would return to Kings next season

May 1, 2023, 10:22 AM

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: Trey Lyles #41 of the Sacramento Kings celebrates a three-poin...

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

As the Sacramento Kings move into the offseason, some questions have begun to surface regarding the future of this team’s roster.

Several pieces of Sacramento’s roster will enter free agency this summer, with Harrison Barnes, Terence Davis, Chimezie Metu, Alex Len, and Matthew Dellavedova lined up to enter unrestricted free agency on June 30th.

Another player who will seek a new contract this summer is Trey Lyles, who just finished his second season in Sacramento on a high note after a strong performance during the NBA Playoffs.

The 27-year-old averaged 6.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while shooting 42 percent from the field and 33 percent from beyond the three-point line during the Kings’ seven-game series against the defending champion Golden State Warriors.

Lyles’ impressive Game 1 (16 points) and Game 6 (12 points, nine rebounds) helped lead Sacramento to wins as the forward gave the Kings a boost off the bench alongside high-scoring guard Malik Monk.

While Sacramento fell short of moving onto the second round, Lyles told the media following Game 7 that he wants to return to the Kings come free agency.

Trey Lyles says he "100%" wants to be back with the Kings next year 🙌 pic.twitter.com/oElWfr1dlv

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) April 30, 2023

“100 percent,” Lyles said when asked if he wanted to be back with this group next season. “This is the most at home I’ve felt with any team that I’ve been on. These guys are like brothers to me. One through 14, everybody gets along, so this is definitely an atmosphere and somewhere that I want to stay.”

Lyles, who was acquired from the Detroit Pistons in the Marvin Bagley III trade last trade deadline, has been a solid contributor for Sacramento since he entered the fold, especially as a depth piece for a team that has sorely needed help at the forward spots.

Over 98 appearances with the Kings, Lyles holds averages of 8.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game while shooting 47 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range.

Will the Kings bring Lyles back this summer?

The Kentucky product just played the last season of a two-year, $5 million contract that was one of the better bargains in the NBA.

There is expected to be mutual interest between Lyles and the Kings, but the forward will surely be in the market for an increased salary that will easily top the $2.5 million that he made in 2022-23.

Sacramento has rumored to be interested in bringing Greek League MVP Sasha Vezenkov–another power forward that can stretch the floor–over in 2023-24. Reaching a deal with Vezenkov could impact the Kings’ need to bring Lyles back for a new contract.

One aspect of Lyles’ free agency is that he wants to be here, something that NBA free agents have not been interested in over the past two decades.

The Kings should want players that want to be here, and more candidates may emerge as the positivity surrounding the team continues to make its way through inner league circles.

If Sacramento chooses to bring Lyles back, it would be a solid move for this team’s depth–one that would also keep another piece of this inaugural ‘Beam Team’ intact.