"Boogie" is officially heading to the "Big Easy." The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired All-Star big man DeMarcus Cousins and forward Omri Casspi from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for guards Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, and two future draft picks.
Kings General Manager Vlade Divac at Monday news conference confirmed the details of the trade that went public on Sunday. Refering to Cousins, Divac told reporters that he "loves the kid," but Cousins was not the "right fit." Divac also claimed the trade was about changing the Kings team culture.
Photo by Joe Michaels, KFBK
Questioned about criticism on the what Kings will get in return for Cousins, Divac said, "This was the best deal we were going to get." However, Divac also admitted that a better deal was on the table with another team just days ago, but the Kings chose to not to take that deal.
Cousins is averaging 27.8 points and 10.6 rebounds this season. The move pairs Cousins with fellow big man and All-Star Game MVP Anthony Davis. The Pelicans enter the second half of the season two-and-a-half games out of the final playoff spot in the West.