Lakers waive guard Quinn Cook after loss to Wizards

After 3 straight losses, the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers are starting to look for ways to improve their roster midway through the season.

As reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Lakers are waiving seldom-used guard Quinn Cook following the team’s 127-124 overtime loss to the Washington Wizards on Monday, February 22 (Tuesday, February 23, Manila time).

According to Charania, waiving the two-time NBA champion Cook, who is averaging career lows of 2.1 points, 0.3 rebounds, and 0.3 assists this season, would give the struggling Lakers an additional roster spot and the flexibility to play the buyout market.

Cook is in his fifth season and is a career 40.7 percent 3-point shooter — including averaging 9.5 points and 2.4 assists in 2017-18 for Golden State. This gives the Lakers two open roster spots. https://t.co/sirejixwEE

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 23, 2021

Without big man Anthony Davis in the lineup due to an Achilles tendon injury, the Lakers have lost 3 consecutive home games against Eastern Conference teams – the Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat, and the Wizards – despite huge performances by superstar LeBron James.

After a fiery start to the season, the Lakers have now slipped to a record of 22-10, tied with the Los Angeles Clippers at No. 2 in the Western Conference standings.

With two open spots in their roster, the Lakers are reportedly interested in bringing back DeMarcus Cousins to bolster their frontline, after it was announced that the four-time All-Star is planning to part ways with the Houston Rockets.

Lakers are expected to be one of the teams to pursue DeMarcus Cousins, per @KevinOConnorNBA https://t.co/Z3qz0Qzphq

— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) February 20, 2021

The 30-year-old Cousins signed with the Lakers in 2019, but never got the chance to suit up for the squad as he was still recovering from a torn ACL injury. – Rappler.com