Cavs’ Kenny Atkinson On Jaylon Tyson: ‘He’s Like A 10-Year Vet’

There are things Jaylon Tyson offers that the Cavaliers will really need. Energy. Offense. Intensity. Ball-handling in a pinch.

And with Isaac Okoro sent to Chicago in the Lonzo Ball trade, the Cavs will likely need Tyson more than ever. He is in line for Okoro’s minutes and coach Kenny Atkinson sounded as if the Cavs have complete faith that Tyson will be up for the task.

“He lives and breathes (basketball), he gets after it every day,” Atkinson told NBA TV while watching Tyson in the Cavs’ opener at Summer League. “He’s like a 10-year vet. … He gets all the things we need him to do to get better. He’s desperate.”

And yes, Atkinson pointed to the loss of Okoro as a reason the door is opening for Tyson.

”We need him,” Atkinson said.

Tyson not only plays with great determination and intensity, but he offers size and strength at the wing.

One scout told Hoops Wire he envisions Tyson becoming “an Aaron Nesmith-type,” citing the physical do-it-all guard who helped the Indiana Pacers reach the Finals.

This past season as rookie, Tyson appeared in 47 games and averaged 3.6 points and 2.0 rebounds. Year No. 2 is likely to come with increased opportunity and his team counting on him even more than before.

He finished with 25 points in the Summer League opener, setting the tone early. And when Craig Porter Jr. left with a hamstring injury, Tyson stepped into more of a lead guard role. He handled it well, running the pick-and-roll, finding teammates for clean looks, and knocking down a couple threes off the catch.

Tyson isn’t known as a primary distributor, but he looked the part Thursday. If nothing else, the Cavs now know he can handle those duties when called upon. 

Cleveland returns to summer action Saturday vs. Milwaukee at 3:30 p.m. EST. (NBA TV, Rocket Entertainment Sports Network).