One of Real Madrid’s biggest fears is going to come true: Trey Lyles leaves the team. A publication by the power forward on his social networks confirms this. You can see him at the airport and from there he sends a message: “Madrid has been great, but it’s time. A great experience here. I appreciate the love of all Madrid fans”.
Madrid had little chance of renewing Lyleswho signed for a single season last summer. His main wish is to return to the NBAwhere he already played 650 meetings throughout 10 seasons distributed between the Jazz, the Nuggets, the Spurs, the Pistons and the Kings. With the intention of having a second stage in the American League, he recently changed his representation agency.
Trey Lyles dunks against Thomas Scrubb.
In case his intention to return to the NBA was little problem for him to renew with Madrid, The quality and performance of the 2.06 meter, 30-year-old power forward sparked the interest of Euroleague teams with large budgets that made him succulent offers. Hapoel Tel Aviv, Dubai Basketball and Fenerbahce put salaries above three million euros gross on the table. Amounts that the whites would not be able to reach due to taxation in Spain, much higher than in other countries, and for not breaking the salary scales within the locker room.
His wonderful first part in the Euroleague final
Lyles will leave Real Madrid having shown signs of his extraordinary class and after showing his numerous offensive resources. In the Endesa League he has had averages of 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 14.1 efficiency. In the Euroleague he has scored 13.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and a PIR of 15.1. The final, when he scored 21 points in the first half against Olympiacos (he would finish with 24), was his ceiling in this adventure as a Madridista. However, he could not give his team the title.
Trey Lyles launches a three-pointer over Sasha Vezenkov’s defense.
Madrid was at the doorstep, but many of Lyles’ suitors understood that he was the player to bid on. Finding a replacement for him will be one of the most complicated missions for the new management of the basketball section..
