What the DeMarcus Cousins trade means for the Pelicans future?

What the DeMarcus Cousins trade means for the Pelicans future?

Sunday capped off an interesting All-Star weekend in New Orleans as the Western conference defeated the Eastern conference 192-182. As the game came to a close, rumors were circulating that the All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins would be traded to the Pelicans. Fortunately for the city of New Orleans the deal got done. The trade consisted of DeMarcus Cousins and Omri Casspi for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, 1^st and 2^nd round pick in the 2017 draft. With the addition of Cousins to the Pelicans along with another All-Star forward in Anthony Davis, one could argue this is the most dominant big man tandem the NBA has ever seen since Ralph Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon or Tim Duncan and David Robinson. Cousins and Davis both average over 27 PPG along with 10 RPG and are considered the two best big men in the league. The Pelicans currently sit in the 11^th spot in the West with 23-34 record going into the second half of the season. With this blockbuster trade, the Pelicans are expected to make playoff run and advance to at least the second round. With the trade deadline to end February 23, the Pelicans are one piece away from being major contenders in the West. If the Pelicans can make a trade to acquire more consistent SG to help stretch the floor, the sky is the limit for them in the future. Currently, the Denver Nuggets are looking to trade Wilson Chandler who averages 15.6 PPG along with 6.7 RPG. If they can add him to their lineup they would be a legit threat to the top teams in the West. The projected starting lineup to be with the addition of Cousins could be Jrue Holiday and E’Twaun Moore in the backcourt, free agent signee Solomon Hill at the SF position with Davis and Cousins in the front court. The Pelicans front court is Elite and will be a living nightmare for opposing defenses, but to contend with the Warriors, Spurs, and Rockets they must bring in more backcourt depth and shooting to relieve some of the pressure off their dynamic twin tower tandem. Projected starting SG E’Twuan Moore would serve as a, role player on most NBA teams, but due to their lack of backcourt depth he will have elevate his game if the Pelicans don’t make a trade in the next three days. He currently averages 9.8 PPG, 2.2 RPG, and 2.2 APG. Just a day ago the Pelicans were a mediocre team in the West that wasn’t going to the playoffs this season to now potentially being 6^th,7^th, or 8^th seed if the two superstars can play together successfully.