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Free agent forward Brian Cook will sign with Piratas de Quebradillas of Puerto Rico this week, agent Greg Nunn told HoopsHype. His contract with the team includes an NBA out, so Cook, a nine-year NBA veteran, could still return to the league before the season is over. HoopsHype

Free Agency, Brian Cook, Puerto Rico 

The Wizards decided to keep newcomers Jannero Pargo and Earl Barron over Shelvin Mack and Brian Cook for their final two roster spots and Wittman explained how circumstances surrounding Wall and Nene contributed to those choices. “They earned the spots, for their play through the month,” Wittman said of Barron and Pargo. “It was tough, now. But this is the group that I believe in, and we’re moving forward with. It wasn’t easy. Obviously, injuries change a little bit, our thinking, as we moved forward. That’s the thing about this business. You never know. As I talked most of this preseason, guys had opportunities and took advantage of them. And they are here. “You never know what’s going to happen moving forward with both those guys – Cook and Shelvin – that were with me before, and it’s hard,” he continued. “No question, that was not a fun day.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Brian Cook, Earl Barron, Jannero Pargo, Shelvin Mack 

Michael Lee: Martell Webster on Brian Cook's alley-oop layup: "Must’ve been a record or something. He got what, an inch & a half off the floor?" #wizards Twitter @MrMichaelLee

Washington Wizards, Martell Webster, Brian Cook 

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has re-signed center/forward Brian Cook and has signed forward/center Earl Barron, guard Steven Gray and forward Shavlik Randolph. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not released. NBA.com

Washington Wizards, Free Agency, Brian Cook, Ernie Grunfeld, Earl Barron, Shavlik Randolph, Steven Gray 

The experience in Washington must not have been too bad, because now, Cook is headed back. Cook, a 6-foot-9 veteran big man, signed a non-guaranteed, training camp deal on Tuesday with the Wizards, his agent, Mark Bartelstein said. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Brian Cook, Mark Bartelstein, Training Camp 

Cook received interest from “three or four other teams,” Bartlestein said, “but he really felt good about the way things finished up with the Wizards. He really enjoyed playing for [Coach Randy Wittman] and with the guys on the team and they kind of expressed the same thing to him. And as we were looking at different things, he wanted to go back. He had a comfort level. He’s back and hopefully, it will work out great.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Brian Cook, Mark Bartelstein, Training Camp 

Cook had hoped to return to the playoffs last season after not making an appearance since 2009, but he described his six-week run with the Wizards as gratifying in spite of its shortcomings. “I don’t think we’ll ever forget it. We had a lot of guys that came in, 10-day guys that came in and we all knew our strengths and weaknesses, and we just tried to play hard and play the right way. That’s by sharing the ball and being a great team,” Cook said after the season. “I had a great month and a half here. These guys, they’re all really good guys. They’re all competitors. They all competed, and hopefully I’ll see them again sometime soon.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Brian Cook, Mark Bartelstein, Training Camp 

Cook, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in the trade deadline deal involving Nick Young, has even been extended an invitation to training camp, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Free Agency, Brian Cook 

The Wizards hope to hear back from Cook by next week, with training camp set to begin at George Mason on Oct. 2, and a source close to Cook said an agreement on a non- guaranteed deal could be reached by later this afternoon. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Free Agency, Brian Cook 

Brian Cook, the former McDonald’s All-American from Lincoln, isn’t ready to call it a career. Traded late last season from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Washington Wizards, Cook saw his contract expire at the end of the season. A former Big Ten Conference Silver Basketball recipient as the league’s MVP in 2003, Cook said he’s got plenty of game left. “I can still run, jump and shoot,’’ Cook said. “I can play four or five years, then a few years overseas. It’s all about keeping your body in shape, keeping your mind in shape, being ready for the next opportunity you get.’’ Several teams have shown interest, Cook said. For a 31-year-old married father of three, Cook knows he’s entered the twilight of his career, and he’s already looking toward a career in coaching at the professional level. “That fits my personality,’’ he said. “I’ve got a big basketball IQ.’’ Lincoln Courier

Free Agency, Brian Cook 

Cook had considered a buyout when he first arrived in Washington, but he has embraced the change, since he is getting more of an opportunity to contribute with the Wizards’ front court depleted and currently dismissed (Andray Blatche and Rashard Lewis aren’t traveling with the team as they deal with injuries). His wife and kids have also joined him in the District. “I like it a lot,” Cook said of Washington. “My family is out here now with me, touring around the city, seeing all the tourist attractions.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Brian Cook 

He also was familiar with several of his teammates, having played with Maurice Evans and Lewis in previous stops and working out with John Wall and Jordan Crawford in the offseason in Los Angeles. “It was a pretty easy transition for me,” Cook said. “They are a good group of guys, and easy to play with.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Brian Cook 

Before Brian Cook joined the Wizards in Memphis, the veteran big man considered seeking a buyout in order to join a playoff team. The Wizards were even willing to accommodate his desires if Cook was able to find a spot elsewhere, with the team planning to give more minutes to its younger players. But Cook’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, said this week that his client doesn’t plan to actively pursue a buyout by Friday’s deadline for the rest of his $1.3 million salary. According to a league source, the Wizards haven’t had any discussions with Cook or his representatives about a buyout. “He likes it there,” Bartelstein said. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Brian Cook 

“I think you just be positive,” Cook said. “Just be positive and I know Nene’s a positive guy. I’m a positive guy and we’ve both had ups and downs in this league, and just being positive and having the heart to fight on another day. I think that’s what these guys need right now. They’re young, they’ve had a losing season and every time you go out there you’ve got to fight.” “It’s a crazy business. I like Ernie [Grunfeld]. I like the coaching staff here. Right now I’m a Washington Wizard and it’ll be good,” Cook said. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Brian Cook 

A league source said the team would be willing to accommodate the veteran forward if he wishes to play elsewhere. Cook’s agent Mark Bartelstein said on Saturday the two sides would likely engage in buyout discussions this week. Cook would first have to line up a landing spot. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Brian Cook 

Chris Tomasson: Agent Mark Bartelstein identified candidates of his that could be bought out next week as Boston's Marquis Daniels and Wizards' Brian Cook. Twitter

Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, Brian Cook, Marquis Daniels 

Chris Tomasson: Also would be no surprise if Brian Cook is bought out. The Wizards would rather look at young guys than him. Twitter

Washington Wizards, Brian Cook 

President Ernie Grunfeld completed a three-team trade with Denver and the Los Angeles Clippers that yielded Nene, Brian Cook and a second round in 2015. But before they embraced the change, the Wizards players were feeling a little sentimental after losing three teammates and friends at the trade deadline. “I’m going to miss them. They are my teammates, they are my friends. I grew up with them,” Blatche said of Young and McGee, who had spent their entire careers playing with Blatche. “We’re going to stay in contact. It’s just the business. It’s not my first time something like this happened. Makes it more easy for me to adjust.” Washington Post

Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards, Trade, Javale McGee, Brian Cook, Ernie Grunfeld, Nick Young 

“It was kind of shocking, but the organization did what it had to do,” Wall said. “Nick is always going to be somebody that can score the basketball. Instant offense. That’s what a lot of playoff teams wanted, players that can do that. He can really help that situation. JaVale is somebody that can protect the rim. I’m happy for both of them. They’re both going to a playoff team. I wish them the best of luck. Had fun playing with those guys.” Washington Post

Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards, Trade, Javale McGee, Brian Cook, Ernie Grunfeld, Nick Young 

Adrian Wojnarowski: As part of three-team deal, Nene goes to the Wizards, JaVale McGee to Denver and Nick Young to Clippers, sources tell Y! Sports. Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards, Trade, Javale McGee, Brian Cook, Ronny Turiaf, Nick Young, Nene