DeMarcus Cousins spoke to reporters on the eve of his first game against the Sacramento Kings. Cousins spent the first 6.5 years of his career with the Kings.

"It's just another chance to come out, play hard and try to get a win," Cousins said.

Cousins was traded on the night of the All-Star Game.

"I enjoyed my time there," Cousins said. "I developed a lot of relationships. It'll be good to see the guys again. I haven't seen them since before the (All-Star) break. It'll be a good chance to see those guys and laugh a little bit.

"But seriously, it's another chance for us to come out and get better. That's how I'm approaching the game."

The Pelicans have won seven of their last 10 games.

"I'm not trying to make it personal or anything like that," Cousins said. "I was joking when I said it but I'm really serious, my only focus is to go in and get a win. This is just another opportunity for us to go in and get better...To come in and try to make it about me, that would be a selfish move on my end."

The New Orleans Pelicans announced that Omer Asik and forward Quincy Pondexter will miss the remainder of the season.

Asik, who was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal infection, is expected to return to basketball activities in 3-4 weeks.

Pondexter underwent left knee arthroscopic surgery on January 4, 2017. Further updates on his rehab progress will be announced appropriately.

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed Quinn Cook to a second 10-day contract.  

Cook, 6-2, 179, who was originally signed by New Orleans on March 19, has appeared in three games with the Pelicans, averaging 1.0 points and 0.7 assists in 2.7 minutes per game.

Cook has played in a total of eight NBA games this season (five with Dallas), posting averages of 3.8 points and 1.8 assists in 10.6 minutes per contest.

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed guard Quinn Cook to a 10-day contract.

Cook (6-2, 179, Duke) has appeared in 39 games this season (38 starts) while averaging 26.0 points, 6.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 38.6 minutes per contest and was named the MVP of the NBA D-League All-Star Game in February. Cook also appeared in five games this season with the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 5.4 points and 2.4 assists in 15.4 minutes.

He is the second-leading scorer in the D-League, third in minutes per game and seventh in assists per game. Quinn scored a franchise record 49 points with 11 assists and three steals in a win over Texas on December 7th. Cook was a member of New Orleans’ 2016 training camp roster, appearing in three preseason games for the Pelicans, averaging 8.3 points and 2.7 assists in 9.6 minutes per game.

Omri Casspi has agreed to sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the remainder of the season.

Casspi was acquired by New Orleans from Sacramento as part of the DeMarcus Cousins trade and had been earmarked for a significant role by the Pelicans, only to suffer a broken right thumb in his first game with his new team.

But Casspi returned from the injury ahead of schedule.

Tom Thibodeau met with Casspi over dinner this weekend in New Orleans in advance of the Wolves' road game Sunday night against the Pelicans.

The Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers also had interest in Casspi.

The future of Alvin Gentry as head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans is in danger. Gentry has been told by management they expect the Pelicans to show signs of progress over the final few weeks of the season.

The Sporting News also reports the Pelicans haven't made a definite decision on Dell Demps' job despite his trade for DeMarcus Cousins.

Both Demps and Gentry will be evaluated when the season ends.

Since acquiring Cousins, the Pelicans have fared 4-7.

The Houston Rockets are staying in Baton Rouge ahead of their game on Friday at the New Orleans Pelicans due to the exorbitant prices of hotels in the Big Easy.

The Rockets played at home on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers and then traveled to New Orleans.

The Rockets will hold shootaround in Baton Rouge and then bus to New Orleans on the day of the game. The 82 mile trip will take approximately one hour and 40 minutes.

NBA teams typically stay at five-star hotels while traveling on the road.

Jordan Crawford has agreed upon a two-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Crawford's first 10-day contract with the Pelicans expired on Thursday.

Crawford will receive a guaranteed salary for the remainder of this season and a guarantee date for 17-18.

Crawford has averaged 14.2 points and 3.2 assists in five games with New Orleans.

The New Orleans Pelicans will sign Jordan Crawford to a second 10-day contract.

Crawford averaged 14.2 points per game on 51 percent shooting over five games on his first 10-day contract.

Crawford averaged 23.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 29.8 minutes per game this season with the Grand Rapids Drive of the D-League.

The New Orleans Pelicans will not sign Hollis Thompson to a deal for the remainder of the season.

Thompson's second 10-day contract with the Pelicans is expiring. Thompson averaged 3.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 21.3 minutes over nine games with the Pelicans.

Thompson was waived by the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this season.