“Got Screenshots and Everything”: 2X NBA Champion Quinn Cook Exposes Warriors’ Dirty Play, Pushing Him to Sign With the Lakers

Despite being a part of two championship runs, Quinn Cook’s NBA journey has been nothing but tumultuous. After going undrafted in the 2015 draft and playing the next two years in the G League, the Duke alum finally had a breakthrough in his NBA journey with the Dallas Mavericks in 2017. But he peaked during the 2017–18 season when he helped the Golden State Warriors win a title that year. With Stephen Curry struggling with injuries, Cook contributed significantly off the bench, averaging 9.5 points per game.

Despite two successful seasons with the Warriors, his tenure with the Bay Area team ended on a sour note. The 30-year-old recently unraveled the Warriors’ dirty ploy which pushed him to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Warriors’ dirty move earned Cook another championship

During a recent conversation with Sam Okauru, Cook revealed that the Warriors had extended his qualifying offer, only for them to rescind it just when he was about to sign it, making him an unrestricted agent. “I got screenshots and everything,” stated Cook. Although it was confusing for him at first, the tide soon turned in his favor with four teams actively pursuing him. Among the people reaching out were LeBron James and Anthony Davis, urging the 2x NBA Champion to come to LA.

As you might have already guessed, he then signed with the Lakers and even went on to win his second championship when the Lakers swept the Miami Heat in six games in the 2020 NBA Finals to win their first title in 10 years.

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During his five seasons in the league, he played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, and Cleveland Cavaliers.  He has also appeared in 40 NBA playoff games.

Last season, he played in the CBA for the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions, where he averaged 11.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. Even though he hasn’t had much luck when it comes to the NBA, his championship runs are a testament that he will be a great addition to any playoff-contending team. So, is a return to the NBA on the cards for the Washington native?

Can Quinn Cook return to the NBA?

Following his stint with the Lakers, Cook signed a 10-day contract with the Cavaliers. After that, he played two preseason games with the Trail Blazers before he took his skills to Russia and played for the Lokomotiv Kuban. He then played for the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions before they released him on January 11, 2023. However, in December, the Stockton Kings traded his G League rights to the Milwaukee Bucks’ G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd.

While it is not clear whether he will earn a chance to play for the Herd, considering his extensive regular-season games (122) experience, he would undoubtedly be a valuable addition. And if he performs like his former self, there’s no question that numerous teams would be eager to extend an offer.