Ex-LeBron James teammate wants another shot in NBA
Less than two years after winning an NBA title with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, one player is trying to claw his way back into the league.
Veteran guard Quinn Cook tweeted this week that he would like to get another opportunity in the NBA.
“God willing I get a NBA call up this season,” he said. “It will be the proudest moment in my career thus far. I will cherish it like a any championship I’ve won because a couple months ago I was at rock bottom. I was at my lowest I’ve been in my life but God got me through it. Never quit!”
God willing I get a NBA call up this season it will be the proudest moment in my career thus far. I will cherish it like a any championship I’ve won because a couple months ago I was at rock bottom. I was at my lowest I’ve been in my life but God got me through it. Never quit! 🙏🏽
— Quinn Cook (@QCook323) March 27, 2022
The 29-year-old Cook is currently in the NBA G League playing for the Stockton Kings, the affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He was on the Lakers from 2019 to 2021, winning the 2020 title with them in the Orlando bubble. Cook also won a ring in 2018 with the Golden State Warriors.
The good news for Cook is that no NBA team has his returning player rights, so he would be free to sign with any interested team. Since he hasn’t been on an NBA roster either, Cook would be eligible for the playoffs since the March 1 eligibility deadline does not apply to him.
Interestingly enough, James just mentioned after the Lakers’ latest loss that the team’s roster is full of players without postseason experience.
LeBron says a lot of players on Lakers haven't played in big games
"We have a lot of guys on our ball club that haven't played in playoff games as well that play big minutes for us. Malik, Wenyen, Austin, Stan, you know Talen is not accustomed to it."https://t.co/bhpP3EUjus
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) March 28, 2022
While it seems unlikely that Cook would actually return to the Lakers, we know that the fans love him for a number of different reasons. Cook is at least an option as a battle-tested ball-handler for a reeling Lakers team.
Photo: Jan 21, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
