The Cleveland Cavaliers only had one pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and had to walk a tightrope between finding a prospect with upside and, more importantly, someone who could contribute to the team sooner rather than later. When it became Cleveland's turn to pick, several prospects were available that fit that mold. In the end, the Cavs went with a player they became closely familiar with during the pre-draft process: California forward Jaylon Tyson.
At 6-foot-6, Tyson has the size to get to the rim and match up with opposing wings on the defensive end. The 21-year-old’s biggest strength is his ability to create his own shot, but he has also proven to be a reliable spot-up shooter. Tyson is a willing passer and can find teammates as a playmaker in the pick-and-roll.
Being a more seasoned prospect, the vision for Tyson's potential long-term fit with Cleveland is clearly there as a high-end role-player. However, will Tyson be able to contribute right away? Or will he spend the better part of his rookie season developing with the Cleveland Charge, the Cavs' NBA G League affiliate?
Where does Jaylon Tyson fit with the Cavs?
When evaluating the pick, leaning on the eye test, Jaylon Tyson fills a clear-cut need for Cleveland as a perimeter player who has showcased his ability to pass, dribble, and shoot. When breaking down the wings on the Cavs, Max Strus is the only other player who can do all three reliably. The other wings on Cleveland's roster are either too flawed or currently too limited skillset-wise to handle those responsibilities.
So, based on skill set alone, the Cavs' investment in Tyson seems to make sense on paper. Tyson's case is further emboldened since, statistically speaking, he had a strong season with the Golden Bears after averaging 19.6 points and 3.5 assists per game.
But those opportunities for Tyson to showcase came on hyper-inflated usage rates at Cal. So, it's fair to question if Tyson can do the same right away for the Cavs when Strus, Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, and others are clearly ahead of him in the team's proverbial pecking order.
So the question is: Can this former star Golden Bear scale his game to act as a role-player? On paper, he can, but that data comes from when he was asked to do everything on the floor for Cal.
Now, with Cleveland, Tyson will have a more narrowed-down role to begin his NBA career. Depending on what head coach Kenny Atkinson needs Tyson to do as a rookie, some of Tyson's existing warts–mostly with his careless turnovers–may smooth over and the path to him contributing right away could shine.
Besides, considering where the Cavs picked him at No. 20, Cleveland doesn't need Tyson to be Mr. Do-it-all in his rookie season. That makes it even more plausible that Tyson can shine right away for the Cavs, even in limited minutes with established players in Cleveland's rotation ahead of him.
Instead, the Cavs need him to convert on catch-and-shoot opportunities, which he's showcased he can do. Cleveland needs Tyson to be comfortable crashing the glass, which he's showcased he can do. The Cavs also need him to make the right pass on offense to keep the ball moving, which he's showcased he can do.
Like all NBA teams, Cleveland needs forwards who can do some of everything on the floor, and Tyson fits that mold. While he won't put up the same numbers he did in his final collegiate season, Tyson can still contribute to the Cavs' rotation beginning with his rookie season.
Cleveland filled a position of need and now can shift their focus to the remainder of the 2024 NBA Draft and the beginning of free agency.
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