This Cavaliers Player’s Role Is Quietly Shrinking

One of the Cleveland Cavaliers' biggest storylines earlier in the season was the breakout year that Jaylon Tyson was putting together. He did more than help the team stay afloat; he elevated them through key injuries to start the year.

Now, as the playoffs quickly approach, Tyson’s role with the Cavaliers is quietly starting to diminish, and the numbers back that up.

Before the All-Star Break, Tyson was averaging 13.9 points a game while shooting 51.4 percent from the floor and 47.5 percent from behind the arc. The number of shots was respectable, too, with the forward averaging 10.2 per game.

It wasn’t just the scoring that put so much attention on Tyson; he was also grabbing 5.4 rebounds and dishing out 2.3 assists a game, while making his presence felt on the opposite end of the floor with a defensive rating of 113.7.

Tyson’s strong start to the season even earned him a spot representing the Cavaliers in the Rising Stars competition during the NBA’s All-Star Weekend.

However, since the All-Star Break, things have looked much different for Tyson. He’s averaging 10.4 points per game on 9.2 shot attempts a night.

Plus, Tyson’s playing time has diminished by about 3 minutes per game, including back-to-back games at the end of February when he played 35 and 40 minutes. 

It may not seem like much, but Tyson’s role is definitely diminishing in the Cavs' game plan.

The big question is: Why is Tyson’s role seemingly shrinking?

Well, the main reason may have to do with what the front office did during the first week of February. The Cavaliers made moves to bring in new players such as James Harden, Keon Ellis, and Dennis Schroder. 

This affected Tyson, one, because he was seeing an increase in minutes because of injuries, but that trio came in healthy and has remained available since then. Second, all three of these players play a role similar to Tyson's, especially with the sophomore playing more guard earlier in the year.

Not to mention, Max Strus being healthy again will only cut more into Tyson’s minutes as the two play exactly the same position.  

The Cavaliers simply have more players available and more competition for playing time than they did at the beginning of the season. 

The good news is that Tyson has proved he can make an impact on a game with his high energy and versatility, even if it comes in bursts rather than a consistent role, as he did at the beginning of the year, and that’s what Cleveland will be looking for him to do down the stretch of the regular season, and hopefully into the playoffs. 

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