Zylan Cheatham Could be the Defensive Wing the New Orleans Pelicans Need

How Zylan Cheatham fits on the New Orleans Pelicans

The first way that Cheatham fits on the New Orleans Pelicans is cost. The Pelicans signed Cheatham to a two-way contract this season and he only played in three games.

Cheatham could sign another two-way contract, which would allow him to spend up to 45 days with the New Orleans Pelicans. This would be a low-risk way to give Cheatham a tryout without committing to a full contract.

This is a chance the Pelicans should take, as Cheatham could potentially fill a valuable role at a discount.

The Pelicans were destroyed by bigger wings this season, exemplified by LeBron James, who did whatever he wanted against the smaller Pelicans’ defenders.

Cheatham would immediately be an upgrade in that area, as he has plus-size and the athleticism to guard several positions. He could even play along Ingram at times, allowing BI to guard a lesser player and focus on his offense.

This is how Cheatham fits in general, as he is the type of guy who will do the little things on defense and offense, the dirty work that marquee players are not often asked to do.

Another way Cheatham fits is that he is hungry. The New Orleans Pelicans lack that, as almost all of their players were lottery picks that went to schools like Duke.

Cheatham was undrafted out of ASU and has had to work hard to even get in the league. The Pelicans lack that type of edge and Cheatham will push everyone else to work harder.

With Kenrich Williams and Darius Miller likely to leave in free agency, the New Orleans Pelicans will be looking for a cheap backup wing and Cheatham could be the guy.

He has the defense, rebounding and intangibles to be an effective wing. If Cheatham can improve his shot, he just might be the guy the New Orleans Pelicans are looking for.