Sean Cunningham: Pelicans GM Del Demps and head coach Alvin Gentry arriving in Sacramento to pick up DeMarcus Cousins and Omri Casspi. pic.twitter.com/lwnFrh2C5r
More on DeMarcus Cousins to Pelicans
Cousins, frankly, scares the hell out of people. Four weeks ago, one highly regarded Western Conference executive told me the Kings would be lucky to get two quality players in return. Two weeks later, an Eastern Conference GM said he appreciated Cousins’ talent but wouldn’t touch the player, let alone a long-term extension. Another GM suggested Cousins needed to be paired with an alpha male, then noted that few of the elite teams possess what Divac coveted: young players and draft choices. That left about a handful of potential partners. The Orlando Magic refused to part with any of their promising youth. The Lakers reportedly declined to include draft picks. The Phoenix Suns shook their heads at swapping Devin Booker. The Boston Celtics, who are laden with picks, never entered the conversation. That left the Pelicans, who turned their attention in recent days from Philadelphia’s Jahlil Okafor to Cousins, a former Kentucky Wildcat and friend of Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis.
Sean Cunningham: Been a fun ride covering the career of DeMarcus Cousins from the very beginning in Sacramento with the Kings. Best of luck to him, his beautiful family and close friends in New Orleans
Carmichael Dave: My friend (DeMarcus Cousins) got transferred to another city because of his job. He had some things to say. Rough to watch.
The Sacramento Kings acquired guards Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway and 2017 first and second-round draft selections from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for forward/center DeMarcus Cousins and forward Omri Casspi, it was announced today by Kings Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Vlade Divac.
“It was time for a change and I decided this was the best direction for the organization, said Divac. “Winning begins with culture and character matters. With the upcoming draft class set to be one of the strongest in a decade, this trade will allow us to build the depth needed for a talented and developing roster moving forward. We thank DeMarcus for his contributions and wish him all the best in New Orleans. The fans in Sacramento are the best in the world and we are all committed to building a team that will continue to make Sacramento proud.”
Bill Herenda: Vlade says this is "best time and best offer" when I asked him why not deal #DeMarcusCousins sooner & r these ideal assets in return #nba pic.twitter.com/0HwixowjnE
Tim Cato: Vlade Divac said the Kings had a better offer for Cousins two days ago. "I don't want to discuss in details about the process."
Blake Ellington: Vlade clarified the best offer he referenced two days ago "disappeared". Think he wanted it clear he didn't pick this offer over better one
Sean Cunningham: A lot to chew on after hearing from Vlade Divac. He had a better offer that fell through with another team. Settled for N.O. Next best. Said he went to New Orleans All-Star weekend with the thought that he would trade DeMarcus Cousins.
Bill Herenda: Vlade "loves DeMarcus great kid not right fit"
Bill Herenda: Vlade says he told Vivek what he was going to do when asked about owners involvement #CousinsTrade #NBA
Blake Ellington: Vlade Divac made it sound like he made this decision. Not Vivek.
"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.”
New Orleans Pelicans: Boogie is coming to New Orleans! #Pelicans #WinTheNight
Sean Cunningham: Most telling quote from Kings GM Vlade Divac in that statement: "Winning begins with culture and character matters."
Tim MacMahon: Sources say Mavs' approach to deadline isn't impacted by DeMarcus Cousins deal. The Mavs won't pull the plug on fighting for West's final playoff spot. That doesn't necessarily mean the Mavs won't make a trade, but there will not be a fire sale with Dallas veterans.
According to league sources, a Cousins-to-Celtics trade was never going to happen because the Celtics have never had interest in acquiring him. There never were trade talks. There never were offers. Cousins-to-Boston was mostly a pipe dream concocted on the airwaves. It was never a reality, according to the sources.
“It’s not just that he can be emotional on the court,” the source said. “It’s just playing with him every day. Like, when a coach says he can’t coach him, you lose credibility. You can’t sustain things that are important to winning if a coach isn’t able to hold him accountable.” The source emphasized that Cousins was generally viewed as a good person off the court by those around him. “But it’s his on-court demeanor, his play, his effort, that type of stuff,” the source said. “It’s just really hard when you can’t find one basketball person [to vouch for him].”
Baxter Holmes: Source familiar w/ Kings’ thinking: "Vivek thinks Buddy [Hield] has Steph Curry potential.” Am told that fixation was a key driver in deal.
Steve Kyler: Way Kings handled Cousins situation not going unnoticed in agent community. Most understand moving on but they told him they were committed
Isaiah Thomas: I don't even think @NBA2K would let that trade happen even with the trade override option off LOL. Ronnie 2K 2K17: @Isaiah_Thomas we don't lol. Good seeing you this weekend bro.
Marc Stein: The Kings are expected to waive Matt Barnes to make the necessary roster room to complete the DeMarcus Cousins trade, league sources say
Sean Cunningham: Been told that this moment was of trade winds and that DeMarcus Cousins still didn't know of trade until ride to airport. twitter.com/yahoobdl/statu…
Sirius XM NBA: . @Adrian Wojnarowski says on our air that it came down to the #Lakers & #Pelicans & that Kings management & the owner went with NOLA's deal
One NBA GM to ESPN on the Boogie Cousins trade: "It was bad deal. Now New Orleans will pay him close to 200 million. Sacramento just did not want to pay him. Only Vivek wanted him. New Orleans was desperate -- and Sacramento is free!"
Andrew Rogers (DeMarcus Cousins' manager): We don't even know where to go...
Anthony Tolliver: @bplawson9 give us a chance b4 u go. We will work our tails off for u guys
so was he the awful teammate he's painted to be Anthony Tolliver: no
For months, Kings execs, from basketball to the business side, were in lockstep with the reality that rebooting the franchise without Cousins was the only long-term solution. Ranadive, the embattled owner, was all that stood in the way. Ranadive stepped aside on Sunday, clearing the way for the Kings to send Cousins and Omri Casspi to the Pelicans for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway and 2017 first- and second-round picks. In dealing a top-10 talent like Cousins for a solid scoring rookie and a pair of picks, the message was unmistakable: Cousins is good, but we’re better off without him.
James Ham: Hearing that DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis have had conversation in the past about playing together. Now they get the chance.
Marc J. Spears: Pels' DeMarcus Cousins on private Kings plane back to Sac with his assistant & family, source. Only Kings employee is PR guru Chris Clark.
Marc J. Spears: Kings brass Vlade Divac, Peja Stojakovic and Ken Catanella decided they would not be taking team charter back to Sac earlier in day, source.
Albert Nahmad: Tyreke Evans will get $458K trade bonus (if deal is completed Monday), to be paid by Pelicans and increase his cap hit with Kings to $10.7M.
Garrett Temple: Keep pushing, we'll get there people!!! #SacramentoProud
Sean Cunningham: Have heard a 2019 1st round pick was supposed to be desired by Sacramento from New Orleans. Evidently wasn't a deal-breaker
Ramona Shelburne: The Pelicans feel confident they can re-sign Cousins, who is from nearby Mobile, Ala. as a free agent this summer, per source.
The Pelicans are sending guards Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans and Langston Galloway, and 2017 first- and second-round picks to the Kings as part of the deal, league sources said, with forward Omri Casspi going to the Kings.
Adrian Wojnarowski: The Pelicans are including guard Langston Galloway in deal to the Kings, who'll likely be waived, league sources tell @The Vertical.
Sean Cunningham: Source says DeMarcus Cousins has been told that he's been dealt to New Orleans.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Sacramento has agreed to trade DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans, league source tells @The Vertical.
Marc Stein: Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway and a future first- and second-round to Sacramento for DeMarcus Cousins, league sources say
New Orleans has discussed parameters of a Cousins deal, and executives with other teams told The Vertical that Kings management has privately encouraged them to offer up trade proposals for Cousins despite the public proclamation that he wasn’t available Talks with New Orleans have included the Pelicans sending multiple first-round picks, pick swaps, rookie guard Buddy Hield and expiring contracts to the Kings, league sources said.
No deal is imminent, but according to a person with knowledge of the situation, talks between the Kings and the Pelicans took place over the weekend and there is a 50/50 chance that something will materialize before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Sources: Kings owner Vivek Ranadive's waffling on long-term commitment to Cousins has opened door to trade talks. He's gone back and forth.
According to sources, the Kings attempted to move up in the 2016 NBA Draft to select shooting guard Buddy Hield, and point guard Jrue Holiday has admirers in the organization. The Pelicans also own all of their first-round draft picks moving forward.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Agent Jarinn Akana tells @The Vertical: "We met w/ Vlade and ownership and they assured us and DeMarcus that he's not being traded. As far as we're concerned, nothing has changed."
Jason Jones: I'm told DeMarcus Cousins (still) is not being traded, even as teams inquire about his availability. Nothing's changed
Adrian Wojnarowski: Kings have had recent discussions with New Orleans on Cousins, sources tell @The Vertical. Sac still debating Cousins' future internally.
