From underdog to valued contributor
Editor’s note: The Chronicle is reviewing the 201819 season of each Warriors player.
Warriors guard Quinn Cook’s underdog story — from the G League to a guaranteed roster spot on a dynastic NBA team — has made him a role model for pro basketball’s striving class. But for his tale to leave a lasting imprint, he must stick around.
That was Cook’s goal entering his second season with the Warriors. After impressing enough while Stephen Curry was injured in 201718 to get his twoway contract converted to a guaranteed one, Cook wanted to show that he warrants a longterm NBA role.
Part of making that case has little to do with basketball. Last season, Cook continued to show he’s the quintessential lockerroom guy, offering a sounding board for friend Kevin Durant and lightening the mood with welltimed jokes.
As his playing time fluctuated, Cook tried to stay ready with postpractice games of 3on3, latenight jumpers in the team facility and extra miles on the treadmill. Fleeting
minutes, however, made it tough for him to find a rhythm.
In February, when he shot just 12.5% from 3point range in 11 games, Cook saw socialmedia chatter about Golden State possibly waiving him to clear a spot on the playoff roster for twowaycontract player Damion Lee. That only strengthened Cook’s resolve. The following month, Cook solidified his spot in the Warriors’ rotation by averaging 6.3 points on 47.8% percent shooting (50% from 3point range).
In the Western Conference finals and NBA Finals, Cook was a mainstay, offering muchneeded shooting off the bench. In Game 2 of the Finals in Toronto, he scored nine points in 21 minutes. Head coach Steve Kerr didn’t complain when Cook attempted — and missed — two late jumpers with the outcome still in doubt.
After that win, Warriors forward Draymond Green said, “Quinn Cook is our Patty Mills. He should be here for a long time.” The Warriors’ front office seems to agree. In a league that puts a premium on shooting, Cook should be an essential floorspacer next season while Warriors guard Klay Thompson recovers from an ACL injury. Offseason outlook: The Warriors are expected to tender Cook a $1.9 million qualifying offer and make him a restricted free agent. Because Golden State will have Cook’s early Bird rights, it can exceed the salary cap to match any (palatable) offer other teams make to him.
The Xfactor is if the Nets or Knicks — intent on enticing Durant to sign with them — offer a lucrative deal to Cook, one of Durant’s closest buddies. The Warriors want to keep Cook, but they can only justify spending so much on a backup guard with minimal upside.