shocker Rockets forward Brian Cook, who could not crack the rotation after moving to the Rockets in a trade-deadline deal, exercised his option on his contract for next season, rather than to become a free agent, Cook’s agent Mark Bartelstein said on Monday. Though Cook played in just nine regular-season games with the Rockets, averaging just 2.8 minutes, the final year of his deal is worth $3.5 million, considerably more than he likely would receive as a free agent. In six NBA seasons with the Lakers, Magic and Rockets, Cook, a 6-9 forward noted for his shooting range, averaged six points on 44.9 percent shooting, making 39.4 of his 3-pointers. “I think he will have the opportunity to learn the system, get acclimated and earn a lot more minutes,” Bartelstein said. www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6492529.html
I'm actually happy about this. His $5 million dollar contract may be more valuable at trade deadline than not to have it at all.
I dont see any minutes in his near future here. But thats ok, he can always be an asset in a trade. And this is a bit off topic, but man, how do the Lakers manage to "steal" players? Ariza for Cook?! Then the Gasol trade. Man..
Yep, an extra expiring contract on a team that has to make most of its moves via trades isn't necessarily a bad thing.
I think we will have to use Cook's contract like we did with Steve Francis' contract. By trade dealine, if we're in luxury tax, we may have to give up a pick for some other team to absorb Cook's contract.
Well, we certainly knew that would happen. He'd have been foolish to opt out and become a free agent.
