By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The much discussed trade that brings Omri Casspi and DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans from the Sacramento Kings is now official.
The related announcement of the Pelicans is as follows:
The New Orleans Pelicans have completed a trade with the Sacramento Kings, acquiring center DeMarcus Cousins and forward Omri Casspi in exchange for guards Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, and two future draft picks.
“We’re thrilled to welcome DeMarcus Cousins and Omri Casspi to the New Orleans Pelicans family,” stated Pelicans General Manager Dell Demps. “This is an exciting time for Pelicans fans as we continue our quest for long-term success. I know our fans are equally excited to welcome DeMarcus and Omri to our great city.
“I want to thank Mr. and Mrs. Benson, Dennis Lauscha and Mickey Loomis for their continued support and providing the resources for us to be successful. I’d also like to thank Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway and Buddy Hield for their professionalism and hard work on the court and in the community during their tenure in New Orleans.”
Cousins, 6-11, 270, has appeared in 55 games this season, averaging 27.8 points (ranked fourth in the NBA), 10.7 rebounds (ranked 11th in the NBA), 4.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks. Drafted fifth overall by Sacramento in 2010 out of the University of Kentucky, Cousins has appeared in 470 career games, averaging 21.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks. Cousins is a three-time NBA All-Star (2015, 2016, 2017), named to the All-NBA Second Team twice (2015, 2016), was a member of the All-Rookie First Team in 2011, and has won gold medals with Team USA at the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain and the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.
Casspi, 6-9, 225, has appeared in 22 games this season with the Kings, averaging 5.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists. Drafted by Sacramento with 23rd overall pick in 2011, Casspi has appeared in 485 regular season games with Sacramento, Cleveland and Houston.
Drafted sixth overall in the 2016 NBA Draft out of Oklahoma, Buddy Hield, 6-4, 214, is averaging 8.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 20.4 minutes per game. Tyreke Evans, 6-6, 220, who was originally acquired from Sacramento on July 10, 2013, has appeared in 202 career regular season games with New Orleans, averaging 14.8 points, 5.6 assists and 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 29.5 minutes. Evans, who was selected fourth overall by Sacramento in the 2009 draft out of the University of Memphis, the 2010 Rookie of the Year holds career averages of 16.3 points, 5.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 459 regular season games with Sacramento and New Orleans. Langston Galloway, 6-2, 200, was originally signed by New Orleans as an unrestricted free agent on July 21, 2016, has appeared in 55 games this season, averaging 8.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 20.4 minutes per game. Undrafted in 2014 out of St. Joseph’s (PA), Galloway holds career averages of 9.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 25.3 minutes per game with New York and New Orleans.