One young player on the [Cleveland Cavaliers](https://cavaliersnation.com/) whose stock has seemingly risen this summer is guard Jaylon Tyson. After he didn’t see the floor more than sporadically as a rookie in the 2024-25 season, he might be in store for a more solidified role as a sophomore after a strong Summer League and an offseason where the Cavs lost key rotation pieces Isaac Okoro and Ty Jerome.
According to Cleveland.com’s Terry Pluto, Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson is “high” on Tyson, something that should only help him as he looks to prove himself in the NBA.
> “Jaylon Tyson is a guy that I know Kenny Atkinson is high on,” Pluto said.
Tyson envisions himself playing a key role for the Cavaliers in his second NBA season. He [said earlier this summer](https://cavaliersnation.com/2025/07/17/jaylon-tyson-envisions-himself-being-missing-piece-for-cavs-this-season/) that he sees himself being the piece that the team needed a season ago. Tyson specifically cited the physicality he brings to the table when he talked about what the Cavs lacked.
The 22-year-old might just be ready to make a serious leap forward if he can carry over some Summer League momentum. While he did suit up in just three contests during Summer League this year, he showed off an impressive, wide-ranging skill set across that small sample size.
He made his presence felt across the stat sheet by averaging 19.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocked shots per game. His shooting percentage in that span of just 40.4 is misleading because of one 3-of-13 shooting performance, and he made up for his inability to score from the field in that contest by getting to the charity stripe and burying nine of his 10 free-throw attempts.
Hopefully, Tyson will have plenty of opportunities to show that his Summer League play was no fluke once the 2025-26 season begins for the Cavaliers. With any luck, he will be part of Atkinson’s rotation from the get-go and have a much more defined role compared to that of his maiden NBA season.
Maybe Tyson’s prediction that he will be the Cavaliers’ missing piece from a season ago will come to fruition as he looks to be an invaluable component of a Cleveland team gunning for a championship.