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Timberwolves address key frontcourt needs with underrated free agent addition
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- Timberwolves address key frontcourt needs with underrated free agent addition
Timberwolves address key frontcourt needs with underrated free agent addition appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday added experienced frontcourt depth by agreeing to a one-year contract with veteran forward Trey Lyles .
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The 30-year-old returns to the NBA following a successful 2025-26 campaign in Spain, where he played a central role in helping Real Madrid reach the EuroLeague championship game. Across 38 EuroLeague contests, he averaged 13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 20.9 minutes per game while shooting an efficient 56.1% from the field, 44.3% from three-point range and 79.2% at the free-throw line.
Lyles elevated his play during the EuroLeague Final Four, leading Real Madrid with averages of 20.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and a 24.5 PIR. Although the Spanish club fell to Olympiacos Piraeus in the final, his only European season boosted his value before he prioritized an NBA return.
Minnesota entered the offseason needing additional size after agreeing to trades involving Julius Randle and Naz Reid . Lyles provides an experienced option at power forward alongside 2025 first-round pick Joan Beringer .
The move also reunites Lyles with Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly, who previously acquired him in a 2017 draft-night trade while leading the Denver Nuggets ' front office. That deal saw Denver move down from the 13th overall selection to No. 24 after obtaining Lyles from the Utah Jazz .
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Lyles now enters his 11th NBA season after spending his first decade with the Jazz, Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs , Detroit Pistons and Sacramento Kings . In 650 regular-season games, including 131 starts, he has averaged 7.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 18.4 minutes per game while shooting 34.7% from three-point range.
Minnesota's retooled roster will feature Lyles alongside Anthony Edwards , Rudy Gobert , Jaden McDaniels and newcomer LaMelo Ball as the franchise looks to remain among the Western Conference contenders.
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