What Jaylon Tyson needs to show in Summer League
Tyson excelled during his junior year at Cal but the NBA Summer League offers a closer translation to his potential role with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jaylon Tyson is expected to provide an immediate scoring punch off the bench after being selected 20th by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2024 NBA Draft. In college, Tyson was the focal point of Cal’s offense, operating with a 30% usage rate as the point forward. He was the team’s best ball handler, distributor, and shot creator. Tyson made offense look easy at times and it felt like Cal would only fly as far as Tyson could take them.
Tyson justified his high usage by earning All-Pac-12 honors and averaging 19.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. Despite his prolific scoring in college, it’s uncertain how his opportunities will manifest at the pro level.
Summer League is a crucial period for Tyson to demonstrate his effectiveness without dominating the ball. Tyson won’t receive the same preferential treatment he did at Cal with players like Craig Porter Jr. and Emoni Bates demanding touches.
Tyson seemed to generate shots out of thin air in college. However, in the Cavaliers’ more balanced offense, he will need to find his role among multiple scorers.
In his junior year, Tyson never had a game with fewer than 10 shot attempts. This volume might be available in Summer League but not at the NBA level. Tyson’s other skills should still shine in Vegas. At 6’6”, he rebounds exceptionally well, aggressively crashing the glass and creating transition opportunities.
Tyson’s growth as a passer at Cal is another asset. He often acted as the connective tissue for the team, facilitating and creating opportunities for others. It’s apparent that there is a connective tissue gene in Tyson’s DNA. Tyson impresses as a point forward when he can use his bigger frame to separate and draw a second defender.
His knack for playmaking should help him transition into a secondary ball handler and facilitator role alongside a lead guard. Expect Tyson to stand out in Summer League with his ability to attack early off the catch and generate open looks for teammates.
Summer League will also test Tyson’s off-ball performance, where he will need to find scoring opportunities from three-point range. His high basketball IQ and purposeful off-ball movements will be key. Tyson’s film shows he understands defensive setups and moves smartly without the ball, which should reassure fans about his transition to the NBA.
Below is a great example of this. Tyson immediately cut towards the basket once he sensed the defender hedging over the screen which led to an easy basket.
The Cavaliers’ Summer League team should look to leverage Tyson’s strengths while managing his shot attempts to prepare him for his NBA role. Tyson’s rebounding, off-ball effort, and secondary facilitation are skills that should stand out, setting the stage for a successful rookie season with the Cavaliers.