Jaylon Tyson NBA Draft Scouting Report: Pro Comparison, Updated Cavaliers Roster
Mike Chiari@@mikechiari
Featured Columnist IVJune 27, 2024
The Cleveland Cavalirs bolstered their wing depth Wednesday by selecting University of California, Berkeley forward Jaylon Tyson with the No. 20 overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft.
Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report
Player: Jaylon Tyson
Position: SF/PF
Height: 6'7"
Pro Comparison: Caleb Martin
Scouting Report: Jaylon Tyson has become one of the draft's most advanced on-ball forwards with handles and footwork for self-creation into drives, jumpers and floaters. Tyson's shotmaking off his own dribble and post moves have powered his scoring production. He just hasn't been as efficient off the ball, and some teams may question how he'll adjust and fit after this year's high usage.
Darius Garland, PG: $36.7M (2028)
Donovan Mitchell, SG: $35.4M (2026)
Jarrett Allen, C: $20M (2026)
Caris LeVert, SG: $16.6M (2025)
Max Strus, SG: $15.2M (2027)
Evan Mobley, PF: $11.2M (2025)
Georges Niang, PF: $8.5M (2026)
Dean Wade, PF: $6.2M (2026)
Ty Jerome, SG: $2.6M (2025)
Sam Merrill, SG: $2.2M (2025)
Craig Porter Jr., G: $1.9M (2026)
Jaylon Tyson, SF/PF: Rookie scale contract
Isaac Okoro, SG: RFA
Tristan Thompson, C: UFA
Damian Jones, C: UFA
Marcus Morris Sr., SF: UFA
Pete Nance, PF: RFA
Isaiah Mobley, PF: RFA
Emoni Bates, SG: RFA
During his collegiate career, Tyson was a well-traveled player and a model of perseverance, as he played at three different schools in three seasons.
After playing sparingly for Texas and averaging just 1.8 points per game in 2021-22, Tyson transferred to Texas Tech and averaged 10.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 1.4 three-pointers made and 1.3 assists per contest.
Tyson then transferred to Cal for his junior campaign and truly broke out, putting up 19.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.6 three-pointers made and 1.2 steals per contest.
He also shot 46.5 percent from the field and 36.0 percent from beyond the arc en route to earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors.
Tyson may not be a star-caliber player in the NBA like he was his final year in college, but Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman compares him to Caleb Martin, who is a highly effective wing and played a huge role in the Miami Heat reaching the NBA Finals two seasons ago.
Most teams would love to have a player like Martin, and Tyson can carve out a long and successful NBA career if he reaches that level.
