The Los Angeles Lakers are waiving point guard Quinn Cook, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The move comes before Cook’s 1.7 million dollar contract becomes fully guaranteed, saving the Lakers about $737,000 on their cap bill. It also gives them flexibility under the hard cap to bring in reinforcements to fill the open roster spots.
Cook, who was waived and then re-signed in the offseason, has been a locker room presence in LA since last year despite a lack of playing time. His friendship with Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis is well documented.
Cook has appeared in 16 games for the purple and gold this season, nearly all coming in garbage time. According to Charania, the two-time NBA champion will have suitors in the league.
The transaction also gives the Lakers their second unused roster spot, potentially clearing the way to player acquisitions via trade or free agency. The Houston Rockets just waived former Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins but according to Dan Woike and Brad Turner of the LA Times, a reunion is seemed “unlikely.”
The Lakers have lost three straight games and four of their last five, all coinciding with Anthony Davis and Dennis Schröder being out due to injury and health and safety protocols, respectively.
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