1. Quinn Cook
“Need of a ball-handler” should sound as scary words for Lakers’ locker room.
As a team loaded with point guards in Rajon Rondo, Alex Caruso, Quinn Cook plus LeBron James, adding another one would mean a surplus of playmakers in danger to be shed. As much as a locker room favorite and despite his recent declaration of knowing what it takes to win, Cook is the most at risk in the group.
Despite a declining game, Rondo remains the ideal floor general with the highest IQ and the veteran presence needed to lead the team. Furthermore, Playoff Rondo is always around the corner.
Caruso, a fan favorite, has solidified his role as an active backup and defender who galvanizes the team with his flashy plays and can also shift to the wing thanks to his size.
Alas, Quinn is the one in the weakest position among his peers as he is not benefiting from extended playing time with a career-low 11.8 minutes per game and several DNPs. The available time becomes less if the Lakers really intend to add another guard to back up LeBron James and it is hard to see one of the others getting cut.
The Lakers are stocked in shooting guards and forwards and it looks like they might even add more. If extended wing depth remains the priority, the point guard will be the obvious department to be reduced.
It would be a hard loss for the fans and for the teammates to see Cook go, but in order to win a championship, tough decisions need to be made. That is another aspect of the NBA that sometimes put teams’ strength and willingness to win, no matter the cost, to test.