3 free-agent forwards the Chicago Bulls should sign

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MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 16: Zylan Cheatham #45 of the New Orleans Pelicans laughs against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on November 16, 2019 in Miami, Florida, 3 free-agent forwards the Chicago Bulls should sign. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

3 free-agent forwards the Chicago Bulls should sign: Zylan Cheatham

Here’s a name that not many fans are familiar with. Zylan Cheatham is a 26-year-old forward who currently plays for the Birmingham Squadron in the G-League.

Cheatham has only ever appeared in four NBA games but has found a ton of success in both the G-League and during stints with various teams in the Summer League.

So far this season with the Squadron, Cheatham is averaging 13.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 51.4 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from three-point range.

The biggest draw with Cheatham is his defense. He’s one of those players who plays with constant energy on both ends of the floor but is particularly effective on the defensive side of the ball.

He’s only 6-8, but his innate rebounding ability allows him to spend some time as a small-ball five, too. Cheatham even recorded an 18-rebound game with the Denver Nuggets’ Summer League team this past offseason.

The tricky part about bringing Cheatham aboard is who the Bulls would get rid of to make room. But based on their need for defenders, Matt Thomas and Marko Simonovic come to mind.

While most Bulls (or even NBA) fans probably haven’t heard of Cheatham, he could be the perfect player to take a chance on. With the Bulls needing energy and some better defenders at the forward, bringing him aboard couldn’t hurt.

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