Jaylon Tyson season preview: Summer League shows Tyson’s duality

Tyson’s Summer League, while impressive, did not show anything new. Where does his path go from there?

NBA Draft hits are few and far between when selecting players outside of the lottery. The Cleveland Cavaliers saw Jaylon Tyson as a worthwhile roll of the dice. Tyson displayed an ability to thrive offensively as a one-man show in college, often playing a hero ball style that required usage rates above 30%.

Summer League was expected to give a clearer picture of Tyson’s potential NBA role away from the ball. Although Tyson garnered praise for his performance, there was nothing particularly new for fans to latch onto; he showcased more of the same skills without significant evolution.

Several issues emerged from Tyson’s first few Summer League games. The Cavaliers made a concerted effort to have him play off the ball, a role he rarely occupied at Cal. In these off-ball scenarios, Tyson often appeared disengaged, and when he did receive the ball, he seemed frenetic and unsettled.

Like most heliocentric players, Tyson thrives when he has abundant touches. Familiarity with dominating the ball helps him overcome poor possessions or shots. Tyson’s three-point shot was erratic in Summer League, and his confidence was lacking early. A standout example was his game against the Warriors. He seemed more like a player trying to earn a spot on the Charge than a first-round pick. Tyson took only six shots, finishing with four points. His play was almost the polar opposite of what was expected.

Tyson showed immense growth in both composure and production in his final two games of the summer. His success in these games was largely due to increased touches. His play style in these matches resembled his college performance, with heavy touches and minutes correlating with his confidence and impact. During these games, Tyson averaged 22 points on 78.9% shooting (including 3-5 from three-point range), six assists, and 2.5 turnovers.

For Tyson to succeed with the Cavaliers, adaptability will be crucial. His early Summer League games highlighted his discomfort with off-ball play and limited opportunities to be the primary ball handler. If Tyson does see the court, his minutes could resemble his early Summer League games more than the later ones.

Tyson is a good prospect with many skills but it’s possible he hasn’t mastered any of them, yet. While you would like for a prospect to have one bonafide trait to build on, Tyson at least has many directions to choose from. He has shown potential as a catch-and-shoot threat, connecting on 20-54 (37%) of his attempts at Cal — but he has also flashed the ability to create shots on his own, such as in Summer League and the bulk of his collegiate career.

He also has the capacity to do the little things. Tyson is aggressive on the glass and shows shades of Josh Hart in his pursuit of the ball. He has a ton of moments where one will think “How did the 6’5 guy grab that?” Tyson is fully capable of grabbing a defensive rebound and operating as a one-man fastbreak as he shot 56.9% (120-211) at the rim. His intensity and athleticism in those moments are invaluable for a team that feels like everything runs through the star backcourt.

Tyson might not be plug-and-play ready from day one. A new role will demand Tyson find a way to impact the game in different ways than he did in college. It will be an uphill battle but he’s shown enough talent for us to believe he has a chance.