With NBA All-Star weekend coming to a close, it appears that a member of the Western Conference All-Star team will remain in New Orleans.
In a blockbuster move, the Sacramento Kings have sent All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical:
Sacramento has agreed to trade DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans, league source tells @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 20, 2017
Kings Trade DeMarcus Cousins to New Orleans Pelicans
In return for Cousins, the Kings will receive rookie swingmen Buddy Hield and Tyreke Evans. Additionally, they’ll receive the Pelicans’ 2017 first- and second-round picks:
Deal with the Pels includes guard Buddy Hield, and a 2017 first-round pick to the Kings for Cousins, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 20, 2017
Sources: New Orleans is also sending the Kings a 2017 second-round pick (via Philadelphia) and Tyreke Evans in deal, league sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 20, 2017
Wojnarowski and The Vertical‘s Shams Charania later added that swingman Omri Casspi will be sent to New Orleans, while guard Langston Galloway is heading to the Kings.
Cousins is arguably the most skilled big man in the NBA. He can post up, play out on the perimeter, and rack up boards. Averaging 27.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per game this season, Cousins has been a machine on both ends of the floor. He’ll now be paired with another elite big man in Anthony Davis, as well as a stellar point guard in Jrue Holiday.
Davis, who was just crowned 2017 All-Star Game MVP, is arguably a top ten player in the NBA. It’ll be interesting to see how the All-Star big men play together, given their similar skill sets, which allow them both to play in the post and out on the perimeter. This move shows that the Pelicans are clearly in win-now mode. The Kings, on the other hand, are ready to begin a new era.
While Cousins is one of the most talented big men in the NBA, he has had some emotional issues both on the court and in the locker room. These incidents have occurred with players and even media members. His antics may have been motivation to whirl a trade.
As much as anything, Sacramento wants to build a culture free of Cousins. In the end, they changed course on committing $200M to him.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 20, 2017
In Hield, the Kings get a young wing who has shown some potential. He attacks the rim, plays good on-ball defense, and can is already a good shooter. This trade also nets the Kings a familiar face in Evans, who they drafted in 2009. He played four seasons in Sacramento to begin his career.
The Kings will look to rebuild with the draft picks and young talent that they have acquired. Whether or not this blockbuster deal works out, the Pelicans’ trade for Cousins shows that they’re in win-now mode.
To recap:
Pelicans receive: DeMarcus Cousins, Omri Casspi
Kings receive: Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, 2017 NOP first-round pick, 2017 NOP second-round pick
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