The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Jaylon Tyson with the 20th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. With the Finals about to wrap up and the Cavaliers already eliminated, Tyson’s full season can now be put into perspective.
Was Tyson a solid selection, or did Cleveland waste another first-round pick? Here’s a look at Tyson’s rookie season and whether or not the Cavaliers were victorious in their draft pick.
Tyson didn’t spend much time in the G-League, but he didn’t have to. Averaging 16.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game while shooting over 50 percent from the field and three, he played in only five games.
Tyson spent much less time with the Cleveland Charge than his peers, but G-League success doesn’t always translate to the big league. How has he played in the NBA?
His time in the NBA hasn’t been as fruitful, but Tyson has still been solid. In his rookie season, he averaged 3.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game, shooting 43 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from three-point range.
Tyson’s only averaging 9.6 minutes per game, though, meaning he typically wasn’t in any game for very long at all. However, in the games he started, he played noticeably better.
In his three starts, Tyson averaged 17 points, 7.7 rebounds, and five assists per game, shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from deep. He did score 31 in one of these starts, but mathematicians will note this means his other starts weren’t so great.
Despite the inconsistency, Tyson put his upside on display and showed that he can be at least consistent enough to be part of the rotation. Whether he becomes a regular rotation piece or an integral part of next year’s system, though, is up to Kenny Atkinson and the Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers have several directions they could take this offseason, and Tyson’s role on next year’s team is largely unknown. He certainly put up impressive statistics for his rookie season and showed that he has the potential to be in the NBA for a while.
If Cleveland decides to integrate him into the lineup, Tyson will be a player to watch in the coming seasons. His game is a bit unpolished, but he has the chops to make a difference if properly utilized.
Although his game is not always exciting, Tyson proved to be a successful first-round pick for the Cavaliers. Even if he isn’t the face of the franchise, he can potentially be a regular part of this team for the foreseeable future.
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