On June 23, 2016, both David Michineau and Diamond Stone would be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for the Clippers' own second round pick in the draft, which was Cheick Diallo, a promising power forward who was born and raised in Mali, but ultimately played for the University of Kansas for one season before entering the 2016 NBA draft.
Meanwhile, during the night of the 2017 NBA All-Star Game, the Pelicans would trade away their top pick of the draft, Buddy Hield, alongside Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, a Top-3 protected 2017 first round pick, and the Philadelphia 76ers' own second round pick in the 2017 NBA draft to the Sacramento Kings for their star center, DeMarcus Cousins, and Omri Casspi.
Roster Last transaction: April 11, 2017 The Pelicans were the hosts for the NBA All-Star Game in 2017.
Anthony Davis was selected by fan voting to the starting front court for the game.
After the All-Star Game was over, it was announced that the Pelicans would make a blockbuster move to trade their rookie Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, a Top-3 protected 2017 first round pick, and the Philadelphia 76ers' own 2017 second round pick to the Sacramento Kings for fellow All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins and Omri Casspi.