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Los Angeles Lakers: Who is going to be the starting point guard?

By Jon Soden

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 05: Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 after scoring a three pointer against the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth quarter at Staples Center on April 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 05: Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 after scoring a three pointer against the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth quarter at Staples Center on April 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Quinn Cook

  • 2018-19 Stats (Warriors): 6.9 pts, 2.1 rbs, 1.6 ast, 0.7 tov, 14.3 min

Advantages

Quinn Cook has proven to be a great teammate in the locker room and was trusted enough by Steve Kerr to play significant minutes in big-time games during his career with the Warriors.

He is by far the most proven and consistent shooter of the group, shooting at almost 42% in his three-year career. Not only is being a shooter important for any team in the NBA, but it is especially important for this LeBron-led Lakers team.

LeBron has thrived with a group of shooters in the past, even when the all-around talent was not there, such as with the 2017-18 Cavs.

On the contrary, when the Los Angeles Lakers implemented the strategy to surround LeBron, with “playmakers”, it was a complete disaster. Cook would fit alongside perfectly with LeBron in the starting line-up due to his shooting.

Additionally, Cook does not need to have the ball to be successful; he showed his ability to play off the ball many times when he shared the court with Stephen Curry. Similarly, he could play off-ball with LeBron as the primary ball-handler.

Disadvantages 

Shooting is pretty much the only thing Cook has going for him. He is very undersized, at only six feet two inches tall and weighing 180 pounds. Additionally, he is not a great athlete on the NBA level and plays below the rim.

Cook has been exposed defensively many times due to his lack of size and athleticism, and in a Western Conference full of star point guards from top to bottom, he would be taken advantage of on a nightly basis.

If Cook is not hitting his shots, he has no business being on the floor. He does not make an impact on any other area of the game, including passing and rebounding.

Prediction

Cook’s playing time this season will be completely variable in regards to his shooting. If he is knocking down threes with consistency, he will find his way on the court with significant minutes, and even possibly a starting job. If he is in a shooting slump, however, he may be nowhere to be found on the court for multiple game stretches.

With Cook, what you see is what you get. Cook’s playtime may also depend on the performances of the Rondo and Caruso—if either of them are playing well, they will likely be given playing time over Cook.

For opening night, I see Cook as the third option at point guard. Cook is the only point guard new to the Los Angeles Lakers, and also does not have near the experience of Rondo or the talent of Caruso.

He will be given some minutes due to his shooting, but will probably come in mostly as a situational player, when the Los Angeles Lakers are in a mid-game shooting slump or are behind late in a game and are trying to shoot their way into a comeback.

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