© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Quinn Cook era with the Warriors is over. After sign-and-trading for D’Angelo Russell, the Warriors simultaneously put themselves in an advantageous roster situation and a precarious cap situation. Russell’s $27.25 million maximum first-year salary meant the team had to dump the $17.19 million salary of Andre Iguodala, immediately trade away Shabazz Napier and Treveon Graham (both acquired in the trade for Russell), and part ways with two future first-round draft picks.
All of that maneuvering allowed the Warriors to re-sign Kevon Looney on a shockingly affordable three-year deal worth $15 million. With that move, however, the Warriors were forced to make another corresponding move, rescinding the $1.93 million qualifying offer to Cook.
The Golden State Warriors have rescinded guard Quinn Cook’s qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 3, 2019
According to Bobby Marks, the move – as all of the Warriors moves for the rest of this season are likely to serve the purpose of (not including a potential Russell trade) – was to create cap flexibility, with the team brushing right up against the tax apron. This is taking into account the project waiving of the $2 million in guaranteed money left on Shaun Livingston’s final year, which has the potential to be waived-and-stretched for a cap hit of $667,000 over the next three seasons.
Without Cook’s cap hit, the Warriors could sign one player to a minimum contract along with signing both of their second-round draft picks without exceeding the $138.9M tax apron. Because the Warriors are receiving Russell in a sign-and-trade deal this season, they cannot exceed the apron for any reason this season.
Pulling the Quinn Cook $1.9M QO was a necessity because of the $138.9M tax apron. Even with Shaun Livingston off the roster, GSW is restricted to signing only both second-round picks and one minimum contract. With 14 players under contract, GSW would be $215K below the apron.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 3, 2019