Omri Casspi to be traded to New Orleans Pelicans
First Israeli to play in NBA part of five-player deal that sees Tyreke Evans return to Sacramento in exchange for DeMarcus Cousins
Omri Casspi, who in 2009 became the first Israeli basketball player to play in the NBA, is due to be traded from the Sacramento Kings to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of a bigger deal centered on all-star DeMarcus Cousins.
The Kings dealt Cousins and Casspi to New Orleans in exchange for Tyreke Evans, 2016 first-round draft pick Buddy Hield, Langston Galloway and first- and second-round draft picks this summer, a person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press.
Casspi rose to stardom at Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel’s most prominent club.
In July 2014, he was traded to the Pelicans as part of a three-team trade, but was later waived. He then returned to Sacramento in September 2014, re-signing in July 2015.
Casspi is averaging 5.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game over 22 games this season.
Reports said it was uncertain whether he would get to play with the Pelicans or would have his contract bought out, given that the attraction of the deal is Cousins.
If he does play, he might fill Galloway’s role as the backup shooting guard, CBS said.
AP contributed to this report.