Quinn Cook is an Option at Backup Point Guard

The Cleveland Cavaliers backup point guard is up for grabs. Quinn Cook could be an option.

After spending three seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Matthew Dellavedova, who was the Cavaliers primary facilitator off the bench, inked a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, leaving the backup point guard position vacant. There are plenty of candidates for the position, but one name that has gone overlooked is Quinn Cook.

Cook, 23, was invited to the Cavaliers training camp last summer, and showed glimpses of potential. The former Duke Blue Devil was beat out by Jared Cunningham for the Cavaliers 15th and final roster spot after averaging 3.6 points and 1.8 assists per game with Cleveland in the preseason.

After being waived by the Cavaliers, Cook spent his rookie season in the Developmental League (D-League) with the Cavaliers affiliate Canton Charge. During his rookie campaign, Cook averaged 19.6 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game en route to being named the D-League’s rookie of the year.

Despite failing to make the roster last season, Cook could be an option for the Cavaliers moving forward. With Dellavedova signing with Milwaukee, the backup point guard job is up in the air for the Cavaliers. Veteran Mo Williams and rookie Kay Felder are two names ready to fight for the job.

If 100 percent healthy, Williams would be the sure-fire option for the Cavaliers moving; however, the 33-year-old battled injures all season, appearing in just 41 games during the 2015-16 campaign. His health is something the Cavaliers can’t rely on next season.

On the other hand, there is Felder, the rookie point guard from Oakland. During his junior season with the Golden Grizzlies, Felder averaged 24.4 points and 9.3 assists per game. In order to draft the 5-foot-9 point guard, the Cavaliers spent $2.4 million for the 54th pick in the 2016 NBA draft.

Felder appeared in seven games with the Cavaliers during the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 15.3 points, 3.9 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. He proved, despite his size, he can hold his own at the next level.

Related Story: Kay Felder 2016 Summer League Report

Although he impressed in Las Vegas, it is still unclear whether or not Felder can become Kyrie Irving‘s full-time backup. For a rookie, let alone a second round pick, the transition into the NBA isn’t always easy. Felder would be asked to go from Oakland, where he played just 35 games in a season, to a team that will be playing basketball for well over 82 games.

While the Cavaliers wait for Felder to develop, Cook could hold down the backup point guard position.

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Cook gained the confidence necessary to take the next step into the NBA during his rookie season in Canton.

“This year gave me a lot of confidence in myself,” Cook said after his rookie season, per The Canton Repository.

Cook also said that he wants to “become a better pro.” There is no better way to do so than playing with the reigning champion Cavaliers.

He may not be able to do everything Dellavedova did during his time in Cleveland, but he would bring a scoring impact off a Cavaliers bench that ranked 20th in the association last season in scoring, averaging 26.2 points per game.

Knowing the Cavaliers have plenty of scoring options, Cook would not be asked to carry the load offensively. Instead, he would be asked to space the floor and knock down the occasional three-pointer.

Cook’s ability to knock down a perimeter jump shot is vital if he wants an opportunity to play for the Cavaliers. During the 2015-16 season, the Cavaliers ranked third in the league in three-point attempts per game with 30.9 and made 34 percent. In his rookie season, Cook shot 38 percent from three-point territory.

Knowing Cook is a reliable shooter, he could make an impact for the Cavaliers if given the opportunity.

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The competition may be stiff to become the Cavaliers backup point guard, but Quinn Cook has what it takes to carve out the competition. It ultimately depends on what the Cavaliers decide to do with rookie Kay Felder.