National Basketball Association

Reports: Kings trade DeMarcus Cousins to Pelicans

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:25 p.m. ET

Sports Illustrated, SI Wire/Sports Illustrated

The Kings have traded DeMarcus Cousins to the Pelicans, The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

Wojnarowski reports the Kings will send rookie guard Buddy Hield (last year‘s first-round selection), guard Tyreke Evans, a 2017 first-round pick and Philadelphia’s 2017 second-round pick in the deal.

ESPN’s Marc Stein reports the deal also includes guard Langston Galloway, and that the picks may be for future drafts.

The Vertical first reported Sunday that the Kings, who had been believed to have cooled on the idea of trading their star center, engaged in trade discussions this weekend, including the Pelicans.

Cousins played just two minutes in Sunday night’s All-Star Game in New Orleans. USA Today’s Sam Amick reported Cousins asked the coaching staff not to play much, citing nagging injuries.

Cousins, 26, remains the NBA’s preeminent low post scorer, averaging 27.8 points and 10.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists this season. His name has frequently come up in trade talks over the past few seasons.

The deal gives New Orleans two of the league’s most talented young big men in Cousins and Anthony Davis, both University of Kentucky products.

- Jeremy Woo