The Golden State Warriors did not match the Cleveland Cavaliers' offer sheet for restricted free agent Patrick McCaw, parting ways with the third-year forward after only two seasons with the team. President Bob Myers said the team's roster flexibility played a part in their decision to let him walk, more so than the financial implications of matching the offer, according to Mark Medina of the San Jose Mercury News.
The Warriors already had a player taking McCaw's role in Alfonzo McKinnie and were also hoping to keep the 15th roster spot open for a prospective buyout candidate later in the season, especially at the center position, if the team finds itself in need down the stretch.
The Cavs signed McCaw to a two-year, $6 million contract, which would have cost the Warriors $11.3 million total due to their luxury tax implications, elevating their tax bill from $50.3 million to $61.6 million for this current season.
Myers, however, still doesn't have any clarity as to why McCaw chose to listen to other teams willing to put in an offer.
“I honestly don’t know,” said Myers, according to ESPN's Nick Friedell. “It’s all speculation.”
Rumor has it McCaw was looking for an active role with the team, something he lost last season at the heels of his indecision on offense and an untimely injury late in the season that saw the likes of Quinn Cook take a more integral role with the team.
The Warriors couldn't guarantee playing time for their young player, given the assets brought on board and poor history of reluctance taking open shots — a flaw that drove head coach Steve Kerr crazy for most of last season.
Golden State offered McCaw a $1.7 million option to remain with the team and later replaced it with a beefier two-year, $5.2 million deal, with the second year being non-guaranteed, but neither offer proved good enough for the UNLV product.
Follow Us
Subscribe