The DeMarcus Cousins trade to New Orleans was sufficiently surprising that most forgot about the other parts in the deal. One of those parts, sent by the Kings to NOLA, was Omri Casspi.
Casspi may have been a throw-in in the eyes of many people but he was going to play a big role for the Pelicans. A 36.8 percent career three-point shooter, Casspi was expected to be one of the few players on the Pelicans’ roster able to spread the floor.
That plan will have to change, however. Casspi broke his thumb chasing a loose ball in his first game as a Pelican on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Justin Verrier:
Casspi broke his right thumb
— Justin Verrier (@JustinVerrier) February 24, 2017
According to Verrier, Casspi is expected to be out four-to-six weeks with the injury. That would get him back to the team shortly before the playoffs, should the Pelicans be able to make up lost ground in that race.
The early expectation is that Omri Casspi will miss 4-6 weeks with a broken right thumb.
— Justin Verrier (@JustinVerrier) February 24, 2017
Casspi’s former and current teammate, Cousins, gave his reaction to the news:
Cousins on Casspi breaking his thumb #Pelicans pic.twitter.com/HfMo6l2ATq
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) February 24, 2017
Clearly, this is very tough news for the Pelicans. Casspi was one of a few consistent shooters on the team. Among players to have played at least 20 games for the Pelicans this season (and still be on the team), only Jrue Holiday, Dante Cunningham, and E’Twaun Moore have shot better from three.
The Pelicans may be in the market for some veteran help on the free agency or buyout markets with Omri Casspi unable to play for the near future.
