Meet Jaylon Tyson, the Cavs' first round pick in the 2024 NBA draft
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Tyson at Cal. Photo: Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
With the 20th pick in the 2024 NBA draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Jaylon Tyson, a long-limbed, long-haired guard from the University of California.
State of play: Tyson (6'6", 218 pounds) is a crafty ball handler and competent shooter who has the wingspan and bulk to play either guard spot or small forward.
What they're saying: Cavs general manager Mike Gansey said in a press conference following the first round that the team's strategy was to select the best player available.
- He said Tyson, who wowed in a pre-draft workout, was an ideal complementary piece who "checked a lot of boxes."
Catch up quick: Due to coaching changes, Tyson played at three different schools during his three-year collegiate career — the University of Texas, Texas Tech and California.
- At California, he blossomed as the best player on a weak team and led the Pac-12 in scoring — nearly 20 points per game.
- He has said he models his game after New York Knicks jack-of-all trades Josh Hart, among others.
The other side: He was turnover-prone on offense and heavy-footed on defense.
- The big question from draft experts Wednesday was how his game will "scale down" when he doesn't have the keys to the offense, playing alongside ball-dominant guards like Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell.
Between the lines: This year's draft class was widely regarded as a weak one, lacking superstar talent at the top end.
- Gansey said with the 20th pick, the Cavs weren't taking someone who they expect to contribute immediately.
- "If he comes in and competes and can play, that'd be great," he said, "but with our roster, we have the depth where we can bring him along slowly."
The intrigue: Tyson's body type and player profile overlap considerably with key reserves Caris LeVert and Isaac Okoro.
- His selection suggests that one or both may not be on the Cavs roster for much longer.
What we're watching: Round 2 of the draft kicks off at 4pm Thursday. The Cavs don't currently have a pick, but Gansey said they plan to be "aggressive" in pursuing one via trade.