👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

NBA Fantasy: Boogie in the Big Easy

Last night, Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Sacramento Kings were finally actually giving up on mercurial big man DeMarcus Cousins, shipping the historically talented but moody center to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Reportedly, the Kings will be receiving Buddy Hield, who was selected 6th overall this past draft, Tyreke Evans, and Langston Galloway (expected to be waived), as well as 1st and 2nd round draft picks in 2017. The Kings will also include SF/PF Omri Casspi, who has been banged up or otherwise buried on the bench much of this season, though he was quite solid in 2015-16.

There's a lot to unpack here for both sides in real NBA terms. I'll leave that for Zach Lowe. My question is where does this leave fantasy owners? We'll sort through some of the potential effects of this trade for players impacted by the deal.

Featured Promo: New Novig users get a $25 purchase match (50% discount up to $25) on your first Novig deposit, and 6 free months of RotoBaller's "Big-4" Premium Pass (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL) which includes exclusive tools for Betting, Props, DFS and more! CLAIM IT NOW

 

Boogie in the Big Easy

Keep on Boogie-ing: DeMarcus Cousins, PF/C, NO

In overall value, I don't picture that much changing for Cousins. However, the type of value he provides might shift a little. Alongside more talented teammates than he had in Sacramento in the form of Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday, Cousins no longer has to carry the offense on every possession. This could lead to fewer shot attempts and assists. However, it could also lead to improved efficiency in the form of FG% and turnovers. Roto owners should be just fine with this deal, but H2H league owners who built a FG% and/or TO punt around Cousins should be worried.

 

The Brow is Up: Anthony Davis, PF/C, NO

It goes without saying that the Pelicans now have the best frontcourt duo in the league and probably one of the top pairings in history. While both would ideally play center in the Platonic ideal of an NBA lineup these days, the Pelicans have been tipping their hand for weeks now (see: Jahlil Okafor trade rumors) that they'd looking for a center to allow Anthony Davis to move to PF. It's obvious that Davis prefers playing PF and that the Pelicans, given AD's recent injury history, believe that keeping him away from bruising defensive assignments is better for his long-term value than maximizing the mismatches they can create on offense with their lineups.

The nice thing about acquiring Cousins is that they now get the best of both worlds -- they get a tank of a center who can take tough interior assignments away from Davis, while still allowing them to play an incredibly skilled offensive player who will draw defenses away from Davis no matter where he is on the floor. My reading of this is that, while he might cede a few shots, Davis will become less of an injury risk and improve his efficiency with the addition of Boogie. This is good news overall for Davis owners, since it's much more rare that they are punting efficiency stats -- and they're all praying he continues to stay healthy and dominant through the fantasy playoffs.

 

Time to 'Reke Havoc?: Tyreke Evans, PG/SG/SF, SAC

Even before he was laid low by injuries over the couple of years, Evans has always been a bit of a weird fit in the league -- not an efficient enough passer to be an ideal point guard, not an efficient enough shooter to be an ideal wing. From a fantasy perspective, he's also a weird fit in most team builds. It's clear the 25 games he played last year wherein he shot 38.8% from 3 and 79.6% from the line were an aberration for the guy who is a career 28.9% and 75.7% shooter in those situations. If his efficiency continues to look like it does this year (and has for most of his career), he will have limited value in roto leagues or in H2H builds where you're fighting for efficiency cats, even with increased minutes. Where he does have more value is in punt builds where you're giving up on FG% and looking for a SF-eligible player who can rack up assists.

Will his minutes definitely increase in the short-term, though? He's still banged up, and it's not like he's leaving a backcourt rotation in New Orleans that's more stacked than what he'll see in Sacramento. There's still a better starting PG than him -- Collison. There's still Buddy Hield demanding minutes at the 2. There's still a high character, tough-defending vet that the coaching staff likes -- Garrett Temple, once he returns from injury shortly after the break, instead of E'Twaun Moore. There might even still be Langston Galloway, and if not him, then at least Ben McLemore. He's a better option than Arron Afflalo, but his fantasy eligibility not withstanding, it's not clear Evans can credibly play as much SF as Afflalo can. His one saving grace is that he's been so bad this year that he might be able to help the Kings tank without seeming like they're tanking, and since he'll be an unrestricted free agent, they won't care about babying his injury. I'll fade him where I care about efficiency, but he's worth the speculative waiver add where available in head-to-head leagues where he fits.

 

The Big Man with a Big Opportunity: Willie Cauley-Stein, PF/C, SAC

The truly big fantasy winner in this deal is the second year big man for the Kings who is now stepping into a major role with the departure of Cousins. He has not been that impressive in the 12 minutes per game that the Kings were giving him -- his per 36 numbers feature 7.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks, both much lower rates than you'd want out of a low-offense big man. However, he's full of athletic talent, is quite young, and shows flashes of being capable of more on both sides of the ball. He'll be given a big chance with much more playing time at center and he'll get the opportunity for more shots and more rebounds with Cousins not sucking up all the oxygen in the rotation. He particularly projects as a potential nice source of steals out of a big man. I wouldn't hope for a major star-level breakout this year, but he could provide reasonable low-end production the rest of the way.

 

Big Shot Buddy: Buddy Hield, SG, SAC

The Kings, without Cousins and the injured Rudy Gay, have no one who can generate their own shots at this point. Buddy Hield hasn't shown he can yet in the NBA, but he certainly could in college for Oklahoma. With no incentive to do anything but tank and develop their young players, and a gaping need for someone who can get buckets, the Kings should give Hield plenty of minutes and plenty of shots. Along with Cauley-Stein, Hield is the other clear fantasy winner in this trade. While his efficiency could remain ugly -- he only shot 39% for the Pelicans -- he could double his points per game from the 8.6 he got in New Orleans, while seeing his three-pointers surge over 2 per game as well. Now if only he could get any defensive stats or improve his assist rate. He's certainly worth owning in fantasy while you wait on what he looks like in Sacramento.

 

The Biggest Loser, For Now: Terrence Jones, SF/PF, NO

No one takes quite the hit Terrence Jones does in this deal. With Davis and Cousins locked in at starters, Jones loses major rotation minutes. There's already talk that he's on his way out the door before the deadline as well, and that he's played his last game for New Orleans. Fantasy owners' one hope for him is he gets traded somewhere he gets a chance to start at the 4.  But where is that for a guy like him?  The previously thin Pelicans were really a perfect situation for him to find playing time, and it's hard to envision another team where he's more than a reserve.

 

The Other Guys

Jrue Holiday will have a chance to play efficient basketball and rack up assists with those two bigs to pass the ball to. He may take fewer overall shots, but he'll really have a chance to shine across the board elsewhere. I like his deal for him.

E'Twaun Moore had already solidified his role as starting 2 in New Orleans, but now that Evans, Hield, and Galloway are gone, he's completely locked in. Look for him to continue with his bottom of the roster value the rest of the season.

Darren Collison should get more usage in Sacramento with Cousins gone.  He may be traded as the Kings tank, though.

Kosta Koufos was already starting next to Cousins, but he may increase his value a little bit. Not an inspiring fantasy option, though -- we know what he is at this point.

Tim Frazier is back to being the only backup ball-handler behind Jrue Holiday, and he could even see some playing time alongside Jrue until the Pelicans find a real SG who can rotate in behind Moore.

Garrett Temple will take a hit from his pre-injury value as his efficiency dips without Cousins and his playing time dips with the addition of Hield and Evans, but the coaches still love him, and he should have a role.

Ben McLemore was playing big, if uninspiring minutes, just before the All-Star Break. He was already expected to lose minutes when Temple returned, though, and that's now doubly the case with two other guys in coming on board in Hield and Evans who also play his position.

Ty Lawson may get an opportunity to show he can create baskets, but the minutes will be rough while both Collison and Evans are on the team.

Anthony Tolliver is suddenly one of the main offensive threats for Sacramento, but I don't see him having much value.

Omri Casspi may not stay in New Orleans, but he could be useful there as a rotation SF with Solomon Hill.  He's off fantasy radars for now.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Back in Leadoff Spot on Tuesday After Injury Scare
New England Patriots

Patriots Targeting Eli Stowers in the NFL Draft?
CFB

Ashton Daniels Named Florida State's Starting Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers

Mike McCarthy has Confidence in Aaron Rodgers if he Re-Signs
Daniel Jones

is Dropping Back and Passing in his Rehab
Juan Soto

Expected to Return on Wednesday
NFL

Jermod McCoy Could Fall in Draft Due to Long-Term Knee Concerns
NFL

Ty Simpson Could Fall Out of the First Round
Washington Commanders

Jeremiyah Love Could Unlock Commanders Offense
Royce Lewis

Twins Reinstate Royce Lewis From Injured List on Tuesday
Adley Rutschman

Activated From Injured List on Tuesday
Nnamdi Madubuike

Doctors Think Nnamdi Madubuike Can Resume his Playing Career
Kayshon Boutte

Not Present for Voluntary Workouts
Tetairoa McMillan

Working on "Power" and Weight/Muscle Gain
Ashton Jeanty

a Top Dynasty Buy Ahead of the NFL Draft?
Tyler Shough

Poised to Get a Wide Receiver Upgrade in the NFL Draft?
Mason Taylor

a Sneaky Buy in Dynasty Leagues as NFL Draft Approaches?
Devin Neal

a Sneaky Buy Ahead of the NFL Draft
Dylan Cease

Continues Strong Start With 12-Strikeout Performance
Ricky Pearsall

Not Yet Ready to Make the WR1 Leap
NFL

Chris Brazzell II a Fringe First-Rounder in Fantasy Rookie Drafts
Raisel Iglesias

Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Shoulder Inflammation
Tory Horton

Is Tory Horton a Sneaky, Low-Cost Buy Before the NFL Draft?
Zach Charbonnet

a Volatile Buy Heading into NFL Draft
NFL

Can Emmett Johnson Sneak into First Round of Rookie Drafts?
NFL

Jonah Coleman Could Be a Steal in Second Round of Rookie Drafts
NFL

Elijah Sarratt Brings Boom-or-Bust Volatility to the Second Round of Rookie Drafts
Jake Sanderson

Records Two Assists in Losing Effort
Brock Faber

Bags Two Goals in Monday's Defeat
Wyatt Johnston

Notches Two Goals in Game 2 Win
Troy Terry

Has Special Playoffs Debut
Dan Vladar

Leads Flyers to Victory With 27-Save Shutout
Yakov Trenin

Suffers Upper-Body Injury in Game 2
Rasmus Sandin

to Miss Start of 2026-27
CJ McCollum

Shines at MSG in Game 2
Donovan Mitchell

Extends 30-Point Streak
Jakob Poeltl

Gets Benched in Second Half
Brandon Ingram

Continues to Struggle
Al Horford

Undecided on Future
Brandin Podziemski

Wants to Stay With Warriors Long-Term
Max Muncy

With Another Two-Homer Game, Becoming Must-Add Off Waiver Wire
Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks "Looking to Trade Back" in This Week's Draft
Jordan McLaughlin

Ruled Out for Game 2
Ron Harper Jr.

Probable for Game 2
Austin Reaves

to Remain Out Tuesday
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Still Out Tuesday
Anthony Edwards

Active on Monday Night
Kevin Durant

a Game-Time Decision on Tuesday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Day-to-Day After Being Hit on the Hand on Monday
Mick Abel

Injury Described as "Not Too Serious"
Brendan Donovan

Mariners Place Brendan Donovan on Injured List With Groin Strain
Joel Embiid

is Officially Ruled Out for Game 2
Sonny Gray

Heading to the Injured List With Hamstring Injury
Victor Wembanyama

Wins Defensive Player of the Year
OG Anunoby

is Available to Play for Monday's Game 2
Onyeka Okongwu

is Cleared to Play During Game 2 on Monday
Immanuel Quickley

is Ruled Out for Game 2
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Expected to Miss Around Three Months
Edwin Uceta

Shut Down for 2-3 Weeks; Is he Still Stash-Worthy?
Charle-Edouard D'Astous

Doubtful for Game 2
Brad Keller

Will "Probably" Earn First Save Situation in Modified Phillies Bullpen
Roope Hintz

to Miss at Least Two More Games
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Elbow Injury
Ross Johnston

Won't Play in Game 1 Against Oilers
Artem Zub

Considered a Game-Time Decision Monday
Tyler Kleven

Remains Out Monday
Jason Dickinson

a Game-Time Call Monday
Leon Draisaitl

Expected to Return Monday
Tyler Reddick

Earns His Fifth Win of the 2026 Season at Kansas
Kyle Larson

Finishes as the Runner-Up at Kansas
Chase Briscoe

Rallies for A New Career-Best Finish at Kansas
Denny Hamlin

Leads the Most Laps at Kansas but Misses Out on Victory
Christopher Bell

Falls Out of Contention for Kansas Victory on Final Restart
Mike Malott

Scores Third-Round TKO Win
Sonny Gray

Leaves Monday's Start Early With Hamstring Tightness
Gilbert Burns

Retires After UFC Winnipeg Loss
Charles Jourdain

Extends Winning Streak
Mick Abel

Twins Placing Mick Abel on Injured List With Elbow Inflammation
Kyler Phillips

Drops Decision At UFC Winnipeg
Mandel Nallo

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss In His UFC Debut
Jai Herbert

Scores First-Round TKO Win
Karine Silva

Gets Dominated at UFC Winnipeg
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Dominates Karine Silva
Deni Avdija

Posts 30-Point Double-Double in Loss
Paolo Banchero

Leads Magic in Game 1 Win
Jalen Duren

Posts Quiet Line in Series Opener
Cade Cunningham

Erupts for 39 Points in Playoff Opener
Logan Cooley

Scores Mammoth's First-Ever Playoff Goal
David Pastrnak

Finishes Game 1 Loss With Three Points
Tage Thompson

Bags Three Points in Postseason Debut
Jake Guentzel

Records Three Assists Sunday
Juraj Slafkovsky

Nets Unique Hat Trick in Playoff Opener
Charle-Edouard D'Astous

Hurt in Game 1 Loss
Leon Draisaitl

Could Be Ready for Game 1 Against Ducks
Corbin Carroll

Expected Back Tuesday; Injury Concern Appears Minor
Juan Soto

is on Track to Return Next Homestand
Corbin Carroll

Exits Sunday's Game with Back Tightness
Tarik Skubal

Fans 10 in Win Over Red Sox on Saturday
Kyle Larson

Should not be Underestimated for the Win at Kansas
Denny Hamlin

Can Denny Hamlin Dominate at Kansas Again?
NASCAR

Christoper Bell Should Contend for First Win at Kansas
Tyler Reddick

Fastest in Practice and Qualifying for Kansas Race
Ryan Blaney

Could Score another Top-10 Finish at Kansas
Ty Gibbs

Poised to Continue Hot Streak at Kansas
Chris Buescher

Always Consistent, Has Speed Heading Into Kansas
William Byron

is A Solid DFS Option for Kansas Lineups
Carson Hocevar

Poised for Career-Best Run at Kansas
Chase Briscoe

Is Chase Briscoe Worth Rostering for DFS at Kansas?
Chase Elliott

Is A Favorable DFS Option for Kansas Lineups
Joey Logano

Could Joey Logano be Considered Playable In DFS This Week at Kansas?
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace is A Favorable Driver to Consider for Kansas Lineups
Ross Chastain

Is Ross Chastain A Worthy DFS Option for Kansas?
Brad Keselowski

Could Brad Keselowski be A Sneaky DFS Option for Kansas?
Daniel Suarez

Should DFS Managers Roster Daniel Suarez at Kansas?
Mike Malott

A Favorite At UFC Winnipeg
Gilbert Burns

Set For UFC Winnipeg Main Event
Kyler Phillips

Set UFC Winnipeg Co-Main Event
Charles Jourdain

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Jai Herbert

An Underdog At UFC Winnipeg
Mandel Nallo

Set For His UFC Debut
Karine Silva

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Looks To Bounce Back