Grading Every Hawks Player Through 30 Games

Tyler Cavanaugh
Grade: A-

As an undrafted rookie on a two-way contract, Tyler Cavanaugh has been the most pleasant surprise of the season for the Hawks.

While only averaging 13.8 minutes per game (last on the team in terms of major rotation players), Cavanaugh is really making those minutes count as his contributions – especially on the offensive end – have been thoroughly impressive.

Despite only playing 262 total minutes in 19 games, Cavanaugh is 5^th on the team with 21 offensive rebounds and his 9.1% offensive rebound percentage is tied for second with Dewayne Dedmon. In terms of overall rebounding, his 13.3% total rebound percentage and 17.7% defensive rebounding percentage are both 4^th on the Hawks.

Cavanaugh is 4^th on the team in PER at 16.6 ahead of starters Ersan Ilyasova, Kent Bazemore and Taurean Prince, and he also has the highest offensive rating on the team with an immense 130. He has shown a willingness to shoot on the perimeter as 58.7 percent of his shots come from three-point territory, and he is connecting on 40.9 percent of his attempts (18 of 44).

Cavanaugh has been a revelation for the Hawks, and we will have to wait and see if the burgeoning inside-out style of this undrafted rookie is sustainable.