DeMarcus Cousins was traded from the Sacramento Kings to the New Orleans Pelicans Sunday night in exchange for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway and a 2017 first and second round pick. With this trade, Cousins joins power forward Anthony Davis to form one of the most star-studded big man duos in NBA history.
When asked how excited he was to play alongside a legitimate superstar for the first time in his career, he said “I think our games complement one another,” Cousins told reporters during Wednesday’s press conference. “Being together, I think, is gonna make both of our jobs easy. I’m excited for the opportunity. I think we can wreak havoc on this league. Will it happen overnight? Probably not. But the potential is scary.”
The move will not propel the Pelicans, who sit 2 ½ games out of eighth place in the West, past the likes of the top seeded Golden State Warriors or San Antonio Spurs. However, it puts them right on track for the near future, and should immediately make a difference in their conference.
“It’s just a matter of putting it all together,” Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said. “Obviously, the chemistry thing, I don’t see that that’s going to be a problem at all. As DeMarcus says, I think their games are very complementary of each other. … It’s not gonna happen overnight, but I’m extremely, extremely excited about the possibilities.”
Cousins spent the first 6 ½ years of his NBA career in Sacramento, where there were off-the-court clashes that often overshadowed his play. Cousins mentioned that he has not talked to anybody from the Kings organization since the trade was announced. He also expressed that he has no hard feelings towards the organization.
“I’m not sour, I’m not mad, I don’t have any ill feelings,” Cousins said. “This is a business and these types of things happen. I’m comfortable with it, I’m in a good place, and I’m ready to get to work.”
Cousins also mentioned that the trade, which happened hours before the All-Star Game, was a bit unexpected. But he’s “ready to get to work.”
“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster,” Cousins said. “Everything happened so quickly. Very unexpected, but I’m a firm believer in that everything happens for a reason. I’m excited for this opportunity. I’m looking forward to it. I plan on embracing my teammates, this team, this organization, this city. This is home for me now. I’m extremely excited. I’m ready to get to work.”
