New Orleans Pelicans unveil new jersey for DeMarcus Cousins

Ahead of his much-anticipated debut, the New Orleans Pelicans have unveiled a new number for DeMarcus Cousins.

After the All-Star Game last Sunday night, DeMarcus Cousins got a new lease on basketball life by being traded from the Sacramento Kings to the New Orleans Pelicans. He’ll make his debut as a “Twin Tower” with Anthony Davis Thursday night against the Houston Rockets at home, and Cousins arrived back in New Orleans on Tuesday ahead of an introductory press conference on Wednesday.

A new jersey and number was sort of teased by Marc Spears of The Undefeated on Tuesday, with Cousins pointing toward “new life” with the Pelicans. On Wednesday morning the team unveiled the jerseys and numbers Cousins, as well as fellow new acquisition from the Kings Omri Casspi, will wear for them.

Time will tell if a new team and situation has a positive influence on Cousins, or if he will be the same technical foul-prone malcontent he has been no matter where he’s playing. But the Pelicans have boosted their odds of earning a playoff spot this year, as they sit within striking distance of the eighth seed in the Western Conference right now, while going old-school in adding a big man star to go with Davis. While other teams going fairly position-less with smaller lineups, going against the grain could work well.

Next: Three reasons the Kings are better off without DeMarcus Cousins

It may be odd to see Cousins in something other than a Kings’ jersey initially, but he if plays well and contributes to a winning situation he can change the narrative around him. The direction of both teams will now be worth watching, since Cousins was an easy lighting rod and conveniently labeled as a “coach killer” as Sacramento has hired and fired head coaches over an over.