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Summary

Cook is older than many people would assume, as he is already 27. Cook's primary skill is his outside shooting, as he has shot well-above average from three for his entire career. However, many of those looks came with the great Warriors teams that were able to create plenty of wide open looks for their role players. Cook has some creation ability, but it mostly leads to tough pullup jumpers for himself, which he can make, but are not the most valuable opportunities. Cook doesn't have great vision to rack up assists, and has never pick a pick-and-roll maestro either.

 

After getting slightly above the minimum last summer, I expect Cook to only find minimum offers this summer. If I were his agent, the primary focus would be finding him a team where he can shine in a primary backup role. 

Cap Considerations

Cook's $3 million salary for 2020-2021 has only $1 million guaranteed, so he may be waived by the Lakers if they feel he is not worth the roster spot and the above-minimum salary. If they waive Cook, they will have no form of his Bird rights, and would have to use cap space or the Mid-Level Exception to re-sign him, or he would need to return on a minimum contract.

 

Other teams will have multiple ways to sign Cook as even teams without cap space could possibly use any of the Non-Taxpayer, Taxpayer, or possibly even the Room Mid-Level Exception to sign him. There's also a real possibility Cook will only be able to fetch a minimum offer this summer.

Potential Teams: Jazz, Hawks, 76ers, Suns, Timberwolves

Predicted Contract: 1-year, $1.7 million ($1.6 million cap hit) with the Jazz

Actual Contract: 1-year, $1.7 million (non-guaranteed) with the Lakers

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Despite being waived by the Lakers, Cook was able to re-sign on a non-guaranteed minimum. It looks like Cook has a good chance of staying on board and getting his full salary for the season.

Last updated: 12/31/2020

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