Pelicans Acquire Forward Omri Casspi In 3 Team Trade
Small forward Omri Casspi is heading to the Pelicans as part of a 3 team trade that will finalize Omer Asik's move to New Orleans as well.
As first reported by David Aldridge of Turner Sports, Casspi comes to the Crescent City as part of a deal with the Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards.
The deal includes a lot of moving parts. The Wizards keep a sizable trade exception ($8.5 million in this case) by agreeing to a sign-and-trade Trevor Ariza to the Rockets. The Pelicans send a 2015 protected first round pick (1-3, 21-30) and the unguaranteed contracts of Scotty Hopson (who they acquired from Charlotte in a sign-and-trade for PG Brian Roberts today) and Alonzo Gee (who they acquired from Cleveland for a top-55 protected 2nd round draft pick) to the Rockets, along with the unguaranteed contract of Melvin Ely to the Wizards.
New Orleans receives Asik, Casspi, and $1.5 million.
All 3 franchises have signed the papers, but the trade must be approved by the league before it becomes official.
Casspi (26 years old) enters the 6th season of his NBA career. At 6'9, 225 pounds, he was the first Israeli born NBA player. He played well his rookie year with the Sacramento Kings, averaging 10.6 points a game. However, his numbers have slowly declined each season, as has his minutes on the floor.
Last year with the Rockets, Casspi averaged 6.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.
UPDATE: Casspi likely to be waived by New Orleans as John Salmons agrees to deal with Pelicans. Click here for the latest.