The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed veteran forward Trey Lyles on a one-year deal. ## What happened?
Lyles stepped away from the NBA last season to join Real Madrid in Spain. He averaged 13.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 42 games across all competitions. The team had a rough campaign, with their first trophyless season since 2011.
Why it matters for Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves were lacking depth in the power forward department after the acquisition of LaMelo Ball from the Charlotte Hornets. Julius Randle is going to the Brooklyn Nets, while Naz Reid is heading to the Queen City. Team president Tim Connelly found a good backup power forward in Lyles.
What comes next?
Lyles was fantastic for Madrid in the EuroLeague Final Four, averaging 20.5 points and 7.5 rebounds. He parted ways with the Spanish club on June 23, writing a farewell message on his Instagram account. Lyles is back in the NBA after a brief hiatus, and his experience will be valuable for the Timberwolves.
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| 2026-05-16 | Minnesota Timberwolves 109-139 San Antonio Spurs |
The Timberwolves have been linked to LeBron James, but Lyles is a solid addition to their roster. Lyles entered the NBA Draft in 2015 and was selected 12th overall by the Utah Jazz. He started 33 games as a rookie and averaged 6.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in 80 games. Lyles was traded to the Denver Nuggets after his second season and spent two seasons there. He also played for the San Antonio Spurs and the Detroit Pistons before joining the Sacramento Kings. Lyles averaged 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists as a backup power forward for the Kings. His experience and skills will be valuable for the Timberwolves, who are looking to improve their roster. Recent form: 1W-0D-4L (LLLLW, most recent first); lost the last 4. The Timberwolves will look to turn their season around with the addition of Lyles.