New Orleans Pelicans targeting specific undrafted free agents; sign 3 post-draft

The New Orleans Pelicans had a busy 2019 NBA Draft night. The selection of Zion Williamson only serves to start the draft night activity, which did not end after the last pick was announced.

The New Orleans Pelicans selected Zion Williamson to be the new face of the franchise. Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker were also selected. The Pelicans wound up trading away both second-round picks.

Busy as the night may have been, David Griffin was not done working the phone lines. The search for second-tier talent to support Zion will never cease.

Zylan Cheatham is one of three undrafted players to have signed preseason deals with the New Orleans Pelicans. His story is touching, and his outreach to prevent gun violence would be a service to any community.

Cheatham lost one college season to a broken foot. He lost another to NCAA transfer rules. He dealt with his brother’s death mid-season. Yet in his best moments, he looked the part of a first round pick.

Cheatham helped lead Arizona State’s upset over top-ranked Kansas. He posted a triple-double, and plenty of double-double stat lines. He is capable of grabbing 20 rebounds. It’s consistency and focus to craft that might be an issue.

Cheatham shot 17% from three-point range his first two NCAA seasons at San Diego State. His third season at Arizona State he made 44% of his attempts. Yet his free throw percentage went down after transferring schools.

Cheatham grabbed 12 boards against McNeese State, but only 8 total against Utah and Utah State. Another dozen rebounds against California at home was followed by only five at Oregon.

His 13 points against Kansas was wonderful. Only scoring four against Princeton was a true let down game. It was after this game Cheatham learned of his brother’s death. He finished out the season strong. He persevered

Cheatham will bring that same energy to the Pelicans summer league team. According to his NBA.com draft profile, he really impressed at the G-League camp as one of the most ‘versatile players in the country.’

University of Central Florida guard, Aubrey Dawkins, has also signed, according to Yahoo Sports. He has many similarities to Cheatham, including missing time due to injuries and transfer rules.

Dawkins began his college career at Michigan but transferred to Central Florida to play for his dad. After sitting out a year, injuries cost him the next. Still, Dawkins kept his coach’s son freshness.

Dawkins was a sharpshooter from beyond the arc, connecting on .422% throughout his NCAA career. Dawkins was a very productive freshman at Michigan. His last game in college was a loss to Zion Williamson when Duke beat Central Florida in the NCAA tournaments.

That is sure to be a fun locker room discussion.

Shams Charania reports Javon Bess has also signed with the New Orleans Pelicans. Like Cheatham and Dawkins, Bess transferred colleges. Bess started at Michigan State but ended his career at St. Louis in the A-10 Conference.

Mason Ginsburg has a theory. Buying low on what was once a promising prospect is a great move to fill out the summer league team. The fact those prospects all fit a certain prototype is not a coincidence.

These players may not all stick with the team, but the team is totally invested in finding talent to play in Alvin Gentry’s style.