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The Golden State Warriors are reportedly still open on keeping restricted free agent Patrick McCaw despite the luxury tax implications of matching a two-year, $6 million offer sheet from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Though it's likely that if the Warriors do match, they do so only for purposes of using him as a trade asset, now that there's legitimate interest in their third-year forward, according to Mark Medina of the San Jose Mercury News.
McCaw is also unlikely to be welcomed back in the Golden State locker room, given the awkward and unforeseen holdout process he's been a part of since the start of training camp.
The 23-year-old hasn't had any contact with his teammates or the coaches or front office personnel, keeping talks (which had long ago stalled) between his agent Bill Duffy and those in charge of machinating a deal.
Warriors players had expressed concern at who was advising McCaw to play hardball with the defending champs, but hoped the issue would be resolved by the end of training camp. The issue clearly did not, and the team was forced to move forward without him, signing Alfonzo McKinnie to a two-way contract and shortly after converting it into a full-fledged two-year NBA contract.
Cleveland's offer sheet will have Golden State virtually choose between McKinnie or McCaw, as they intend to keep their 15th roster spot open in case there's a dire need to add some help once the buyout market comes alive later down the road.
