Now, perhaps, it seems as if we might be forced to add another wasted talent to this growing list.
Omar Cook, the former Christ the King and St. John's standout was released by the Denver Nuggets last week. After showing flashes of brilliance in his only season with the Red Storm, Cook, 19, entered the NBA draft with hopes of earning the guaranteed contract that comes with being a first-round pick. Instead, the Brooklyn resident went in the second round (32nd overall) to Orlando, which traded him to Denver.
Stalled contract negotiations prevented Cook from attending the first week of Nuggets training camp, and he never recovered in time to beat out boyhood pal Kenny Satterfield for the team's third point-guard spot.
Cook's agent Aaron Goodwin should be ashamed of himself. First, for convincing Omar to leave school after just one year. Second, for advising him not to play during contract negotiations. When Cook finally signed a deal a week into training camp after protracted negotiations, first with Issel's group and then again with new GM Vandeweghe's group, it was already too late to make up for the lost time. Omar played in only three preseason games, averaging just three points and two assists.
Denver almost traded Cook to New Jersey at one point, but the deal fell through. Goodwin said the Nets are one of several teams his client could eventually end up with.
Vandeweghe admitted giving up a first-round pick for Cook only to cut him later might appear to be another in a long line of bungled moves but said it was a sound decision and the only one he was comfortable making.
"A lot of things involved were done before I got here," he said.
"I think Omar's going to be a good point guard in this league," Vandeweghe continued. "He has to improve his shooting so that teams don't lay off him so much. But I still think he can play. It was our determination that Kenny's going to be better."
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