Basketball player Omri Casspi playing for Israel against Finland (Photo/Wikimedia Commons) News Sacramento Kings’ Omri Casspi traded to New Orleans Facebook Twitter Email SMS WhatsApp Share By JTA | February 20, 2017 Omri Casspi, the first Israeli to play in the National Basketball Association, is due to be traded from the Sacramento Kings to the New Orleans Pelicans. The trade is part of a five-player trade which will see All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins heading with Casspi to New Orleans, CSN California reported on Feb. 19. Sacramento will receive Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, a 2017 first-round pick and a 2017 second-round pick, according to the report. Casspi joined the Kings in 2009 as the first Israeli to play in the NBA and played there for two years, when he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he played for two years, spending much of his time on the bench. He spent a year with the Houston Rockets and then was traded to the Pelicans, who put him on waivers, where he was again picked up by the Kings. Casspi played with the championship Maccabi Tel Aviv team in Israel before making himself available for the 2008 NBA draft. His Omri Casspi Foundation has hosted trips to Israel the past two summers that included several of his NBA teammates, to “raise awareness” of the Jewish state, he told J. last month, and has raised funds for several Israeli charities. The 6-foot-9 Casspi has been playing about 19 minutes per game this season, averaging 5.9 points and 4.1 rebounds, ESPN reported. New Orleans hosted the All-Star Game over the weekend. JTA Content distributed by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency news service. Also On J. Sports Omri Casspi joins Golden State Warriors Sports Warriors drop Omri Casspi Kings draft pick:from Israel to Sacramento to the desert Sports Former Warrior Omri Casspi returns home to play for Maccabi Tel Aviv Subscribe to our Newsletter Enter Email Sign Up