Tyler Cook has impressed with the Pistons since joining the franchise on a 10-day contract on March 18.
His energy has endeared him to head coach Dwane Casey, and he’s been a staple in the rotation. He inked a second 10-day deal on March 29.
His stint with the Pistons will now last until the end of the season, at least, as the franchise signed him to a standard NBA contract with an option for 2021-22. The contract is non-guaranteed for next season, but will become guaranteed five days after the yet-to-be-announced free agency moratorium period, a league source told the Detroit Free Press.
[ The premier skill Killian Hayes showed in Detroit Pistons’ win vs. Oklahoma City Thunder ]
In 10 games in Detroit, Cook is averaging 3.7 points and three rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game. His energy has given the second unit a lift, and Casey has praised his approach on defense.
“He’s one of those guys that you want to keep in your program because again, he gives you everything,” Casey said last week. “He can play ‘4’ or ‘5,’ he’s smart, he picks up stuff quick, he’s physical, he’s athletic, he’s still working on his shooting piece, but everything else he’s bringing it to the table and then some. Defensively, he’s versatile. The quicker you can pick up stuff, and to his credit he’s picked up everything we’ve done and it’s one reason why he’s ahead of the curve and can contribute. You feel comfortable putting him in the game and playing him.”
In eight G League games with the Iowa Wolves this season, Cook averaged 20.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 33.3 minutes while shooting 59.9% from the field.
Cook went undrafted in 2019 after three seasons at Iowa, and has played for four different NBA franchises and three G League teams since then.
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @omarisankofa. The Free Press has started a new digital subscription model. Here’s how you can gain access to our most exclusive Pistons content. Read more on the Detroit Pistons and sign up for our Pistons newsletter.