This player could be the biggest x-factor for the Sacramento Kings next season

Everyone wants to talk about how the addition of DeMar DeRozan helps the Sacramento Kings, and while his presence does offer a big boost to the team, our biggest x-factor may end up being someone who was already on the roster last year.

If you ask ESPN Analyst Zach Lowe, the performance of one Trey Lyles may be the deciding factor in whether or not this roster (as currently constructed) fits together properly. Here is what he said on his podcast, "The Lowe Post:"

""A player that now becomes really critical to their team is Trey Lyles because he's going to have to play a lot of four. He's going to have to play with [Keegan] Murray at the three and four. He's going to be their size and toughness in a lot of these lineups...and he was very good last year when he was healthy." "

- Zach Lowe, ESPN

While he doesn't say it directly, Lowe is getting at something we've discussed quite frequently on this website. Even with all the beneficial offseason moves the Kings have made up to this point, they have yet to add some functional size.

This makes Lyles that much more important. Outside of Murray, Lyles is the only none-center who is over 6'8 (Lyles is listed at 6'10), can shoot (38.4% from three), provides secondary rim protection (47th percentile in block rate last year), and can attack closeouts (73rd percentile in drives true shooting, per Thinking Basketball database).

In theory, Lyles is the ideal role player that we have been envisioning the Kings acquiring in free agency or via trade this entire time. Maybe that's why the Kings haven't made a swing for someone like Dorian Finney-Smith. They believe they already have someone like that under contract at an affordable rate in Lyles.

I know that is wishful thinking, but regardless, Lowe is right. Lyles will be ultra important to the Kings' success next season.