New Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins was fined $25,000 by the NBA for his inappropriate language directed at a fan during their Wednesday’s 103-91 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum. According to James Ham of NBC Sports Bay Area, the punishment was for the technical foul that Cousins drew late in the game. Cousins explained that he was whistled for a technical foul after he reacted to a fan sitting courtside, whom he claimed “dropped a couple F-bombs” and “flipped me off". NBA executive vice president Kiki Vandeweghe said that the technical foul has been rescinded.

However, Cousins said he plans to meet with the league regarding fans’ conduct towards players. The league also warned the fan who had a verbal altercation with Cousins that a repeat of her conduct will result in ejection from the arena or revocation of her ticket.

Cousins finished the game with 28 points, 10 boards and a career-high seven blocks against the Grizzlies. Against the Golden State Warriors, Cousins dropped 35 points and 13 boards but the Pelicans lost, 128-120, despite leading by as many 17 points in the first half. The Pelicans (0-2) will go for their first win of the season against the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday.

Pelicans sign guard Jameer Nelson

According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, the Pelicans signed veteran point guard Jameer Nelson to a one-year deal.

In a corresponding move, the Pelicans released Jordan Crawford to accommodate Nelson, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The 35-year-old Nelson, who will be entering his 14th NBA season, averaged 9.2 points, 5.1 assists and 2.6 rebounds per contest in 75 games last season, with 39 starts, for the Denver Nuggets. Nelson was waived by the Nuggets to make room for veteran forward Richard Jefferson.

It was expected that the Brooklyn Nets will sign Nelson following Jeremy Lin’s season-ending injury. Aside from the Nets and Pelicans, the Charlotte Hornets and the Houston Rockets expressed interest in Nelson’s services.

Pelicans need reliable playmaker

The Pelicans need a reliable backup point guard after Rajon Rondo underwent sports hernia surgery and will be out for four to six weeks.

Nelson, a first-round pick by the Nuggets in 2004, could provide some scoring and leadership while waiting for Rondo to return. Nelson was an All-Star during the 2008-09 and has career averages of 11.7 points, 5.2 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game. The Pelicans could also start Nelson alongside Jrue Holiday, who has yet to live up to the five-year, $126-million deal that he signed in the offseason.
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