Summary

Despite starting a number of games for the Spurs this season, Lyles was unable to prove that he can contribute to winning. He struggles on defense, and doesn't hit enough shots at the other end to make up for his defensive deficiencies, which are elevated by the fact that Lyles is strictly a four - not quick enough to guard wings and not big enough to provide rim protection.

 

Lyles did show some growth in attacking off the catch when defenses run him off the three-point line, but still needs improvement in that area to be more than just a spotup threat.

 

Cap Considerations

Lyles's $5.5 million salary for 2020-2021 has only $1 million guaranteed, so he may be waived by the Spurs. If they waive Lyles, they will have no form of his Bird rights, and would have to use cap space, the Mid-Level Exception, or the Bi-Annual Exception to re-sign him, or he would need to return on a minimum contract.

 

Other teams will have multiple ways to sign Lyles as even teams without cap space could use any of the Non-Taxpayer, Taxpayer, or Room Mid-Level Exceptions to sign him. He could also potentially be had with at the Bi-Annual Exception or even a minimum contract.