# Which Cavs player is most likely to emerge this season? Hey, Chris! **By:** cfedor **Published:** 2026-08-08T10:02:17.000Z **Source:** [cleveland, Advance Local](https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2026/08/which-cavs-player-is-most-likely-to-emerge-this-season-hey-chris.html) --- Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson emerged as an every-night rotation player last season. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio — It’s the latest edition of Hey, Chris! The submissions for this post came from Subtext insiders, who received a message to send one question each. The best got chosen. Want to receive Cavs Insider texts and communicate directly with me? Sign up for a 14-day free trial with your phone number and perhaps one of your questions will be used in the next edition of Hey, Chris! You can also sign up by texting me at 216-208-4499. More Cavs coverage Hey, Chris: Which player is most likely to emerge for the Cavs this season? -- Gary, Chesterland Hey Gary: The simplest answer is third-year swingman Jaylon Tyson, especially given what is expected to be an expanded role this coming season. But Tyson’s emergence came a year ago, transforming into a rotational fixture while ranking sixth in minutes. So, let’s exclude Tyson from this conversation. There could be an opportunity for Craig Porter Jr., Tyrese Proctor or second-round rookie Meleek Thomas -- although playing time is probably tied to what happens with veteran backup point guard Dennis Schroder. Sources tell cleveland.com the Cavs continue to discuss various trade packages involving Schroder, seeing if there is an opportunity to slightly reconfigure the roster or gain financial flexibility, which would help their pursuit of free agents Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson. So, how about Nae’Qwan Tomlin? Cleveland has a plethora of options to log minutes at the 2 and 3. But Dean Wade’s undesired departure to Philadelphia in free agency has left it slightly undermanned in the frontcourt. Hence, the signing of 6-foot-9 forward Mario Hezonja and continued interest in Kuminga and Watson, both of whom are capable of playing up in position. Then again, if the Cavs can’t pull off a sign-and-trade — a complicated chase given their dearth of appealing assets and salary situation — someone will need to step into the backup power forward spot behind Mobley. The 25-year-old Tomlin is a logical fit. One of the organization’s latest player development success stories, Tomlin received his first real NBA opportunity last season, averaging 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 47.8% from the field and 23.5% from 3-point range in 15.7 minutes. Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson repeatedly praised Tomlin for his energy, activity and tenacity. Despite a still-unreliable outside shooting stroke that will likely determine his NBA viability, those other intangible traits could lead to Tomlin getting an even longer look in 2026-27. It also helps that he’s currently one of the few players on the roster who can play the 4 without Cleveland giving up size and length. Tyson, 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, is better suited to play the 2 or 3. Same goes for 6-foot-4 Sam Merrill and 6-foot-5 Max Strus. Even though moments will arise throughout the lengthy 82-game season where Atkinson tinkers with small-ball looks and downsized lineups, staying big may help the Cavs maintain their defensive integrity unlike last season when Atkinson typically opted for speed, switchability, spacing and shooting. If it’s not Tomlin backing up Mobley the other option would be Hezonja who is looking to revive his NBA career after a half decade overseas. The real question, after a few free agency losses and whiffs, is whether either player is ready for such a substantial role on a team with championship aspirations.