AKA Club Staples

Yesterday at 11:30 PST, the overhead white lights came on, the DJ started spinning Boyz II Men’s “End of The Road”, and teams rushed to find a hook up who would provide a vital role player, or take their onerous contracts or under-performing vets, or, in a new twist, to take their elite “cornerstone” who juuuust wasn’t sure if he was going to sign that extension in 2 years.

At 1^st glance, it looks like the Clippers/Cavs dalliance was one of those ill-fated, vodka hazed trysts, a clumsy trade where both parties shame-walk away the next morning, club clothes, bed head, and all. But as we discussed right here yesterday (more…)

Cook previously played for 3 teams, most recently the Rockets, where he saw action in just 15 games last season.

I haven’t seen the contract to know whether or not the second year is guaranteed, but it seems odd to give a guy who hasn’t played more than 60 games in a season but twice in a 7 year career a two year deal, even at the inexpensive cap number the Clippers signed him for.

When healthy, Cook has shown an ability to hit the three-point shot with some consistency, as evidenced by his nearly 40% career shooting percentage from beyond the arc. He’s not much of a rebounder even when given substantial minutes, something that might add to his value with the Clippers when he’s paired in the front court with Chris Kaman and Craig Smith, if Cook’s ability to hit the three can draw post defenders away from Kaman and Smith. But he’s not going to be able to be paired well with Blake Griffin, as Griffin will need room to move with and without the ball in his hands. All his detriments and matchup problems fade if he shows he can still be a dead-eye shooter from beyond the arc, but for a guy who’s played less than 50 games combined the past two seasons, I’m not exactly optimistic his stroke will return.

Aside from the cap-friendly aspect of Cook’s contract, this isn’t a great signing for the Clippers. I understand they have to fill out their roster and Cook is a veteran with playoff experience, but if he can’t shake off the rust that has come from not playing regular minutes the past two seasons and consistently hit the three-pointer this season, he will likely spend a lot of time in street clothes on the team’s inactive list.

While the contract value makes Cook’s addition something with increased value, especially for such a bottom-line focused team such as the Clippers, it’s not a signing that is going to inspire anyone.