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NBA Notebook: Cousins ready to rock in Big Easy

The Sports Xchange

February 22, 2017 at 7:08 pm.

Feb 22, 2017;  Metairie, LA, USA; Omri Casspi (18) and DeMarcus Cousins (0) were introduced by the New Orleans Pelicans at a press conference at the New Orleans Pelicans Practice Facility by head coach Alvin Gentry, left, and general manager Dell Demps, right. They came to the Pelicans in a trade from the Sacramento Kings. Photo Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Feb 22, 2017; Metairie, LA, USA; Omri Casspi (18) and DeMarcus Cousins (0) were introduced by the New Orleans Pelicans at a press conference at the New Orleans Pelicans Practice Facility by head coach Alvin Gentry, left, and general manager Dell Demps, right. They came to the Pelicans in a trade from the Sacramento Kings. Photo Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

DeMarcus Cousins didn’t ask to be traded, but he is embracing the opportunity for a fresh start with the New Orleans Pelicans, who introduced their new No. 0 at a press conference Wednesday.

The Pelicans acquired the 26-year-old three-time All-Star center from the Sacramento Kings late Sunday night after the All-Star Game in New Orleans. In the deal, New Orleans sent guards Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans and Langston Galloway along with a 2017 first- and second-round pick to Sacramento in exchange for Cousins and swingman Omri Casspi.

Cousins officially began the next chapter of his career in New Orleans on Wednesday, but he admitted disappointment in “the dishonesty” displayed by the Kings, who earlier said they had no plans to part with him after seven seasons with the team.

“Sunday was a wild day,” Cousins said at the introductory news conference at the Pelicans’ training facility. “Just a lot of mixed emotions. It was very unexpected. I sat in the airport for a minute and my mind was racing. I didn’t know what to think. I’ve tried to understand the situation.”

–The Washington Wizards bolstered their bench on Wednesday by acquiring forward Bojan Bogdanovic from the Brooklyn Nets in a four-player deal.

Washington also picked up forward Chris McCullough in exchange for forward Andrew Nicholson, swingman Marcus Thornton and a 2017 first-round draft pick.

The Southeast Division-leading Wizards get another offensive weapon with the addition of the 6-foot-8, 225-pound Bogdanovic, who is averaging a career-best 14.2 points for the NBA-worst Nets.

–The Cleveland Cavaliers signed forward Derrick Williams to a second 10-day contract on Wednesday.

Williams, 25, signed his first 10-day contract with the Cavs on Feb. 9 — the fifth team during his six years in the NBA.

Williams, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, was waived by the Miami Heat on Feb. 6.

–The Phoenix Suns assigned forward Derrick Jones Jr. to the Northern Arizona Suns of the NBA Development League on Wednesday.

This is Jones’ sixth assignment of the season. In 18 games with the D-League affiliate, he is averaging 14.6 points on 49.0 percent shooting and 5.7 rebounds in 32.4 minutes.

Jones, 20, is averaging 1.6 points and 3.4 minutes in seven games with Phoenix.