Trey Lyles traded from Jazz to Nuggets, set to join forces with Jamal Murray.

Heading into the NBA Draft, much of the buzz surrounded potential trades involving high-profile former Kentucky Wildcats like Julius Randle, Devin Booker, and Eric Bledsoe. Their names were constantly floated in trade rumors, drawing speculation from around the league.

One name that didn’t come up in the rumor mill, however, was Trey Lyles. Ironically, it was Lyles who ended up on the move.

The Utah Jazz have traded the former Wildcat to the Denver Nuggets, where he’ll now team up with another Kentucky product — and fellow Canadian — Jamal Murray. Murray was drafted by the Nuggets last year and quickly emerged as a star in Denver’s backcourt. The duo now has the chance to represent both their college and country as teammates in the NBA.

Lyles, who spent two seasons with the Jazz, never quite found his footing in Utah. Despite flashes of promise, he was buried in a crowded frontcourt rotation that included Boris Diaw and Derrick Favors. The limited playing time hindered his development, making it hard for him to carve out a consistent role.

The move to Denver gives Lyles a much-needed fresh start. The Nuggets are an up-and-coming team loaded with young talent and are looking to build around a core that includes Murray and Nikola Jokić. Lyles will have an opportunity to play a more significant role and showcase his versatility as a forward who can stretch the floor.

While he wasn’t a name floated in pre-draft rumors, Lyles’ relocation to the Mile High City could be a quiet win for both him and the Nuggets as they look to make a playoff push.