Chicago Bulls: Tyler Cook signing has high upside

A multitude of signings for the Chicago Bulls this week reached a tipping point on Sep. 7. That looked to be the last day of this major string of signings ahead of the start of Training Camp and the preseason. The Bulls added five players to the roster ahead of Training Camp, which begins on Sep. 28. And one of the more undervalued of those additions was the former Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets power forward Tyler Cook.

Signing with what could be the fifth team he’s played in a regular season game for, Cook is looking to find more stability heading into next season. He definitely showed flashes last season of the ability to contribute in a meaningful way in a third unit reserve role. Maybe the Bulls are the spot where he can find traction for an entire season.

Last season, Cook played in four games with the Nets and then 28 with the Pistons. But Cook was really solid for the Pistons to round out last season. He finished the season about as good as any of the reserve Pistons players in the final few games.

Each of Cook’s five best game scores last season came in the final month of the regular season. And one of those five games down the stretch last season where he stood out for the Pistons came against head coach Billy Donovan and the Bulls. That could’ve been a drawing point for executive vice president of basketball operations and general manager Marc Eversley to want to sign Cook to this non-guaranteed deal.

It’s hard to not like the Chicago Bulls adding F Tyler Cook

This is one of my personal favorite camp signings for the Bulls in the past few years. There was clearly a need at the power forward position heading into Training Camp and the preseason. And while the Bulls likely filled in a lot of the minutes off the bench at the four by signing the former Nets and Indiana Pacers power forward Alize Johnson, Cook could help out too.

It could be good for the Bulls to be three-deep at the four, especially considering the lack of proven experience among the backup centers. Adding Cook to a mix in the frontcourt unit on the bench that also includes centers Marko Simonovic and Tony Bradley, along with Alize, makes a lot of sense.

But Cook still has to prove his value in Training Camp and the preseason. Carry that momentum over that he built up down the stretch last season, and Cook could be well on his way to earn a roster spot, or at least the remaining two-way contract slot.

In the final month of last season, Cook averaged around nine points per game, four rebounds, one assist, 0.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks. And he shot 76.1 percent from the field, hit on his one attempt from beyond the arc, and shot around 43 percent from the free-throw line.

The main flaw to Cook’s game is clearly his free-throw shooting. That needs to improve for him to find more traction in the NBA.

The poor free-throw shooting might be worth it for the Bulls to get such an athletically gifted forward who is a good two-way player. Cook has shown a good amount of flashes in his brief career to date. It’s definitely worth the Bulls giving him a shot in camp.

Training Camp is set to begin for Cook, Donovan, and the Bulls on Sep. 28. And then, the preseason slate is set to open up on Oct. 5 at home at the United Center against Lauri Markkanen and the Cleveland Cavaliers.