The Cleveland Cavaliers are aiming to advance past the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2018. The East is as wide-open as it has ever been, and the Cavs return most of their roster from last season, plus added Lonzo Ball, and Larry Nance Jr.
Cleveland is already dealing with injuries to Darius Garland, and Max Strus, with the latter set to miss the next three to four months. Garland may be back early on in the season, but either way, the Cavs’ depth will be tested early in the season.
Cleveland’s depth is what led to their success last season, as they had a top-ten bench scoring unit, and a nice blend of versatility across their backcourt, and frontcourt. With a full season of De’Andre Hunter on tap, the growth of Sam Merrill, and the addition of Ball, and Tyrese Proctor to the reserve unit, the Cavs should maintain that success to a degree. However, there is one player that is primed to be the team’s X-Factor this season.
Jaylon Tyson is primed for a big role with the Cavaliers this year
Tyson was Cleveland’s first-round draft selection in 2024, but could not carve out a consistent role. He spent most of his time in the G-League, where he averaged 17 points per game, nine rebounds, and five assists on 51 percent shooting.
Tyson did show some flashes when he did play with the main roster. He got a spot start against the Pelicans last November, and had 16 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. He also started the last game of the regular season against the Pacers, where he scored 31 points.
In those games, Tyson showed that he is willing to do the dirty work. He was relentless on the ball as a defender, and showed a level of nastiness on the boards that the Cavs don’t really have at the small forward spot. This lines up with what head coach Kenny Atkinson has said about Tyson, which is that he plays every possession like it is his last.
Tyson will get his chance to show what he can do this season
Tyson has also said that he knows what he needs to do to get into the rotation. He knows he needs to be able to defend, and shoot in order to fit in with the team’s core of Garland, Mitchell, Mobley, and Allen.
With Strus sidelined, the departure of Ty Jerome, and the team’s need for more versatility at forward, Tyson will have a big opportunity early in the season to show he deserves a permanent rotation spot. Atkinson is excited about his growth, and his stellar offseason, so Tyson has the support. Now it is time to live up to his first round billing.