I believe that Denzel Washington would be a good chose for an actor to play the role of Lyons Maxson.

Lyons Maxson is Troy's son that he fathered before his time in jail with a woman he met before becoming a baseball player and before he met Rose. For most of Lyons childhood he grew up without Troy because Troy was in prison. Lyons does not live with Troy, Rose and Cory, but comes by the Maxson house. He is an ambitious and talented jazz musician. Like most musicians he has a hard time making a living. So he mostly depends on his girlfriend, Bonnie whom we never see on stage for income, and frequently goes to his father’s Troy’s house on Troy's payday to ask for money. To Troy Lyons' jazz playing seems to be an unconventional and foolish profession. Troy calls jazz, "Chinese music," because he sees the music as strange and unreasonable. Lyons' humanity and belief in himself garners respect from others. I believe that Denzel Washington would be grate to  portray Lyons  easy going and lad back personality, not only that but he has also played a jazz musician before.