Pelicans' DeMarcus Cousins to switch jersey number from 15 to 0

DeMarcus Cousins will be officially introduced as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, but he's already making changes.

Cousins will wear No. 0 when he plays his first game as a Pelican on Thursday at home against the Rockets. In a text to The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears, Cousins said simply "New life ..." as an explanation for the change from No. 15 to No. 0.

Although Cousins is focusing on the future, he took time Tuesday to thank the people of Sacramento for his more than six seasons in the city.

Words can't even express how hard it is for me to have to leave the city of Sacramento and all of the amazing people that I have met while out here. I gave it my all for you and you gave it right back. The most amazing fans on the planet and I just want you to know that your support has meant everything to me. It's hard to believe that it was seven years ago that this young kid from Alabama showed up in Sacramento scared and not knowing a soul. As I look back upon my time here, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have met so many amazing people, many of whom went out of their way to make me feel right at home from day one. Each and every one of you have played such an important part in my life and helping me become the person I am today. I don't just consider you all as fans, you all are my family...and a couple thousand miles aren't going to change a thing. Thank you Sacramento. #LoyaltyisLove

A post shared by DeMarcus Cousins (@boogiecousins) on Feb 21, 2017 at 2:32pm PST

Cousins also talked to Sacramento media before leaving for New Orleans and said he was "shocked" by the trade.

"It seemed like I was going to wake up from a dream. It didn't seem real. It was shocking, but I've had time to kind of think about it a little bit," Cousins said Tuesday. "I still don't think it's really hit me yet. That's how it goes."

Cousins, as well as fellow trade piece Omri Casspi, traveled on the Pelicans' private plane to a New Orleans franchise that is thrilled about the new arrivals.

"I could not be more excited to add DeMarcus Cousins and Omri Casspi to the Pelicans," Pelicans owner Tom Benson said in a statement. "I know that everyone is thrilled with the anticipation of DeMarcus and Anthony [Davis] and Jrue [Holiday] and the rest of our team hitting the floor on Thursday night against the Houston Rockets. We are only a few games behind in the playoff hunt and I want to bring an NBA Championship to this city."

Although there has been speculation that Holiday could be traded as he becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season, sources told ESPN's Justin Verrier that it is doubtful that a deadline deal involving Holiday will happen.