4. Quinn Cook
When the Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a deal with free-agent point guard Quinn Cook, it was a transaction that was met positively. Cook brought NBA Championship experience with him from his time playing for the Golden State Warriors. His skill-set as a 3-point sniper and playmaker made him a solid fit alongside LeBron James. However, things have not worked out as planned.
Cook has found himself mostly out of the rotation. Alex Caruso has taken over as the third guard behind LeBron James and Rajon Rondo. Cook has played sparingly, getting minutes only when there are injuries or in garbage time, appearing in 38 of 63 games.
There is a chance that Cook can get some minutes in the postseason given his experience. However, his spot on the roster is far from guaranteed for the remainder of whatever is played of the 2019-20 season, let alone the 2020-21 season.
The second-year on Cook’s contract is only partially guaranteed on June 29th. Given the current state of affairs, that will probably have to be adjusted to fit the timeline of the league and whenever free agency begins. But, with little wiggle room available under the salary cap, the Lakers could move on from cook to open up some flexibility to upgrade the roster elsewhere.