Adelaide import search down to two?

Adelaide promised big name signings, and if they can land one of Zylan Cheatham or Jarell Martin, they’ve delivered.

Two of the best bigs from recent NBL seasons are reportedly being chased by the 36ers, and now it’s about finding which one is the perfect fit.

Complementing locals Isaac Humphries and DJ Vasiljevic is key for Scott Ninnis and his team, and alongside Kendric Davis, both potential signings would give Adelaide one of the most dangerous starting lineups in the league.

“It’s practically coming down to Zylan Cheatham and Jarell Martin... two guys we’ve seen in the league before and two different sorts of players,” ESPN's Olgun Uluc revealed on The Marketplace.

“Zylan Cheatham is more of an athlete and someone who can get up and down the floor ... Jarell Martin more of a finesse scorer type.

“But both of them can slide up to the five, take a lot of pressure off Isaac Humphries when he goes to the bench and take pressure of Ben Griscti who is going to his first season in the NBL.

“There is some method to what the 36ers are doing and although I think there’s a question about their depth going into the season, if they do get one of Zylan Cheatham or Jarell Martin, which I’m told it’s down to those two, the top four of Kendric Davis, DJ Vasiljevic, Cheatham or Martin and Isaac Humphries, that’s a really, really high level top four that I don’t know if other teams can compete with.”

Martin’s most recent NBL season was as a championship player at the Sydney Kings in 2022, averaging 16 points and 7.9 rebounds a game.

Cheatham lined up with the New Zealand Breakers in NBL24, averaging 15.2 points and 6.8 rebounds, with a fractured foot keeping him sidelined for the middle part of the season.

“I love where their head’s at that 'we want to get one guy who’s played here, who understands it and who can play the backup five',” NBL champion Peter Hooley added.

Asked who would be a better fit in Adelaide, Uluc and Hooley were split.

“I’ll say Jarell Martin for the capability to slide down to the five, I think they need a lot of backup five minutes,” Hooley said.

“The best fit is Cheatham,” Uluc said. “Cheatham is more athletic and more versatile defensively. I think this team is going to need to be more versatile defensively with two smaller guards (Vasiljevic and Davis).

“You need to protect Isaac Humphries and whoever is at the three.

“Jarell Martin is currently injured and I don’t know if he’ll be ready for the season.”

Zylan Cheatham.

The 36ers have experienced a lot of change since the departure of CJ Bruton as coach midway through NBL24.

With Ninnis now in charge, the club has gone back to the drawing board, building around local talents Humphries and Vasiljevic, and bolstering their coaching staff with new lead assistant coach Mike Wells and senior assistant coach Marko Marinovic boasting vast experience overseas.