New Orleans Pelicans: Zylan Cheatham returning to Pels’ G-League

Zylan Cheatham is trying to make his way back to the New Orleans Pelicans.

You may remember Cheatham from the 2019-20 season, when he was on a two-way contract with the Pelicans and played four games late in the season.

Cheatham is going to have a chance to earn his way back on the team after he was recently traded to the Pelicans’ G-League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron:

Cheatham didn’t play much but became a fan favorite because of his hustle and motor and a guy many of us thought might have a future as a 3-and-D wing on the Pelicans.

But the undrafted Cheatham was eventually traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder and then to the Timberwolves before playing in Iowa for their G-League team.

Does Zylan Cheatham have a chance to make it back into the league?

New Orleans Pelicans: Zylan Cheatham has some skills the Pelicans can use

Zylan Cheatham’ style fits with the change in culture the Pelicans are trying to make, as he is a high-motor wing who can defend multiple positions.

Cheatham has good size at 220 lbs. with a massive 7-foot-1 wingspan that allows him to defend up or down.

This is the type of player the Pelicans need to put around Zion Williamson, though the Pels are hoping they already found them in Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones and Naji Marshall.

But if any of those guys goes down with a long-term injury, Cheatham is a guy I could see earning a call-up to the New Orleans Pelicans, as he is a good athlete that can be plugged into a lot of spots on the defensive end.

Cheatham put up good numbers in the G-League last season, averaging 10.5 points and 8.1 rebounds, but he shot the ball terribly, averaging just 21 percent from 3-point range.

Obviously Cheatham will have to show he can shoot the ball much better than that for him to have a chance to get back into the NBA, but he will be one name to watch on the Squadron this season.