The Atlanta Hawks have officially announced the signings of Quinn Cook, Tyler Cavanaugh, and Josh Magette. Atlanta made it official with a press conference.
The Hawks are a team that is in a transition, of sorts. With the arrival of General manager Travis Schlenk, the vision of the organization has gone in a different direction. Instead of maintaining status quo, the former Golden State Warriors employee has decided to reach for more.
In the NBA, sometimes reaching for more means having to do with less. Hence, the departures of Paul Millsap, Tim Hardaway Jr, and Dwight Howard. The team will now rely on the services of cheap young talent. Cook, the only player of the three with any real NBA experience is exactly the type of talent the team is looking to add. The Duke product has spent time with the Dallas Mavericks and the New Orleans Pelicans, but most of his minutes have been spent with the G-league.
In 39 games with the Canton Charge last season, the 2016 G-League Rookie of the Year averaged 26 points per game, four rebounds, and six assists. The point guard’s accurate shooting is one of his better attributes as a player, which he demonstrated with a 37% mark from behind the arc. Quinn’s brilliant play earned him two trips to the G-League All-Star game.
Cook knows that to have staying power in the NBA his game is going to need to evolve across multiple areas, “My game is doing whatever it takes to win. [I’m] a playmaker, I try to hang my hat on picking up full court defense and being able to space the floor with my ability to shoot”.
In the summer, Cook says, is when he works on nearly every aspect of his game. “[I work on] ball screens … [as well as] guarding the ball screen. [I emphasize] getting loose balls and rebounds.”
Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry has long been in the corner of the 24-year-old Cook as he journeys through the NBA. Quinn = impressed in his short, nine game stint with the Pelicans. During which, he developed a relationship with Gentry. “I thought I had a great relationship with [Alvin Gentry]. I could pick his brain a lot during film, during practices, and even during games.” Cook appreciates how Gentry continued to encourage him in Summer League, even though he wasn’t officially coaching the team. “A lot of times in Summer League, I would go over and just ask him questions. He would call me over [just as if] he was still coaching me. We still talk to this day; he’s a mentor of mine.”
Just as important as what a player does on the court, is how well he meshes with the team off the court. The Hawks locker-room looks to be one of the youngest in the NBA. As a young player, Cook is optimistic about his fit with the youth of Atlanta.
“I like my fit a lot…I’m a down to Earth person. I get along with everybody. A lot of the guys know me [already], and it’s been an easy transition for me”.
Magette, who the Hawks signed using the League’s new 2-way contract provision, had high praise for Cook’s character.
“Quinn’s a great player…he’s a great guy off the court too. He’s a leader and a guy people like being around”.
Most don’t expect this iteration of the Hawks to be as good as in years past. The team currently holds the league record for the most consecutive playoff appearances, which now stands at 10.
Cook plans to continue the trend.
“We have a younger team that is still trying to keep the playoff streak going. I think everybody’s goal is to come in and be professionals and win games. That’s all I’ve been doing my whole life, and I think they noticed that about me. And I want to do whatever it takes to win”.
The sky is the limit for Cook, and Hawks fans should be excited to root for him. Quinn is aware of the opportunity that he has in front of him, apparent in the manner in which he shared his gratitude to the Hawks organization.
“It’s a great opportunity. I’m very excited, very fortunate, and very thankful for the Hawks giving me another chance to play in the NBA”.
