DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis create a fierce frontcourt duo. (Getty)
The NBA All-Star Game may be over, but DeMarcus Cousins can stay in New Orleans. The Kings have traded Cousins to the Pelicans for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, Omri Casspi along with a future first and second round pick.
Once again: BUDDY HIELD, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, one future first-round pick & one future second for DeMarcus Cousins, sources say
Sacramento is sending forward Omri Casspi to New Orleans in DeMarcus Cousins trade, league sources tell @TheVertical
The Pelicans sit 2.5 games back from the final playoff spot in the West. While it is speculative at this point, here is how we see their starting lineup shaping up based on the current depth chart:
C- DeMarcus Cousins
PF- Anthony Davis
SF- Solomon Hill
SG- E’Twaun Moore
PG- Jrue Holiday
As the updated roster shows, the move does make the Pelicans thin at the two position since New Orleans traded two of their three shooting guards they had on their roster.
C- DeMarcus Cousins, Omar Asik, Alexis Ajinca
PF- Anthony Davis, Terrence Jones, Donatas Motiejunas
SF- Solomon Hill, Dante Cunningham, Omri Casspi
SG- E’Twaun Moore
PG- Jrue Holiday, Tim Frazier
The trade immediately puts the Pelicans in contrast with a league looking to play smaller and stretch the floor. Davis and Cousins can play both front court positions. It will be interesting to see if the Pelicans make additional moves to solidify guard depth as New Orleans only has three guards on their roster after the trade.
It was a big weekend for Pelicans fans. New Orleans hosted the 2017 NBA All-Star Game, and Davis won the MVP by scoring 52 points. Davis broke Wilt Chamberlin’s record for most points (42) in an all-star game. Now the Pelicans appeared poised to make a run at the playoffs.
ESPN’s Chris Haynes reported the Pelicans are now looking to move Terrence Jones most likely for another guard.
New Orleans now seeking trade partner for forward Terrence Jones, league sources tell ESPN. Mutual decision on behalf of team, Jones’ camp.
The Kings did not seem to get full market value back for Cousins. The move is odd timing given the team had until Thursday’s trade deadline to field offers. Sacramento decided it was time to move away from Cousins to rebuild but only solidified one first round pick.
Davis and Cousins played at Kentucky under John Calipari but were never teammates. Cousins played for the Wildcats during the 2009-10 season while Davis played during the 2011-12 season.
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