Just mere minutes after DeMarcus Cousins diverted questions about a possible trade to New Orleans, the Pelicans, and Sacramento Kings have agreed to a deal that will pair the All-Star power forward with NOLA's superstar Anthony Davis, a league source confirmed just late Sunday night.

According to league sources, the Pelicans have agreed to send rookie first-round pick Buddy Hield, veteran swingman Tyreke Evans and solid guard Langston Galloway, along with their first- and second-round picks in June's upcoming draft to Sacramento. The first-round picked will be top-3 protected.

The Pelicans, along with Boogie, will also get perimeter player Omri Casspi from the Kings. The trade was first reported by NOLA.

Cousins, a three-time All-Star, played college ball at Kentucky, the same as Davis, and was selected No. 5 overall by the Kings during the 2010 NBA draft. The 6-foot-11 center, whose incredible talent and game-changing performance sometimes has been overshadowed by his tendency of picking up technical fouls (he currently has 17 this season), is averaging a career-high 27.8 points this season, to go along with 10.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists.

Career-wise, Cousins is averaging 21.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. The Kings have reportedly torn apart about either giving Cousins a possible contract extension given his volatility since Cousins is in the final year of his contract and would have demanded a max contract deal from Sacramento worth a whopping $200+ million.

According to Business Insider, while in New Orleans for the All-Star Weekend, Cousins, a Mobile, Alabama native, gave his praises to the city and recalled fond memories of visiting New Orleans as a child. After Sunday's All-Star Game, Cousins was then asked to address the trade speculation, and if he would like to play in New Orleans.

Cousins responded with, "If I'm blessed enough to have a job as a basketball player, absolutely. If that's what happens, it happens." With the Cousins trade, the Pelicans just became a solid contender for the West.

Related