(JTA) — Omri Casspi, the first Israeli to play in the National Basketball Association, was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans from the Sacramento Kings.
The deal announced Monday was part of a blockbuster five-player trade that had All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins and Casspi heading to New Orleans, ESPN reported Sunday. Sacramento receives Buddy Hield, a first-round draft pick in 2016, as well as Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, a 2017 first-round pick and a 2017 second-round pick, according to the report.
Casspi joined the Kings in 2009 and played there for two years, when he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he played for two years, spending much of his time on the bench. He spent a year with the Houston Rockets and then was traded to the Pelicans, who put him on waivers, where he was again picked up by the Kings.
Casspi played with the championship Maccabi Tel Aviv team in Israel before making himself available for the 2008 NBA draft.
The 6-foot-9 Casspi has been playing about 19 minutes per game this season, averaging 5.9 points and 4.1 rebounds. New Orleans hosted the All-Star Game over the weekend.
