Accepting the Warriors’ $1.7MM qualifying offer remains the most likely scenario for shooting guard Patrick McCaw, writes Anthony Slater of The Athletic. In a column that offers a list of questions for each Golden State player, Slater notes that McCaw’s other options are extremely limited with training camp starting next week.
Despite the summer-long contract standoff, McCaw still enters a positive situation if he returns to the Warriors. The team held a roster spot open for him, and regular playing time appears to be available. Slater reports that Golden State originally planned to pursue Tyreke Evans in free agency, which would have made McCaw expendable, but changed direction when DeMarcus Cousins became an option.
Coach Steve Kerr has expressed a desire to give more rest to his veteran players, which should mean more minutes for younger guys like McCaw, who won’t turn 23 until October. It will also give him a chance to improve on his 4.0/1.4/1.4 career line before taking another shot at free agency next summer.
There’s more on the Warriors, all courtesy of Slater:
- This is the first time since Kevin Durant came to Golden State that his re-signing doesn’t seem like a sure thing. Durant’s latest contract includes a $31.5MM player option for next season that he is expected to turn down in pursuit of a long-term deal. Durant has made it clear that he has an open mind about where he might play next year, and Slater notes that an early-season trip to New York should amp up the discussion.
- Cousins has a long way to go until he can play again, and the Warriors can’t begin to answer questions about his fit with the team until that happens. Cousins was considered a major steal when he agreed to sign with Golden State for the $5.3MM taxpayer mid-level exception. However, nobody knows how much the Achilles tear he suffered last season will affect his game or how he will handle a reduced role in the Warriors’ offense.
- First-round pick Jacob Evans was just 2 of 18 on 3-pointers during Summer League, which raises concerns about how well he can fit into the offense. The Warriors like the defensive versatility that Evans provides and he’ll be one of the players Kerr is counting on to reduce the veterans’ minutes, but he has to shoot better to get regular playing time.
KD and Porzingis would be a pretty sweet match up
KD is going to team up with Bron in LA
DMC will be fine, will be back sooner than people expects & he will have a great season with whatever role they give him, he is a great guy & he will be ok & next season he will get a big contract.
Even if Cousins couldn’t play well for the Warriors, at least Warriors eliminates the possibly of him showing up against them in the playoffs.
KD is going nowhere…
Warriors should have taken the euro guy the lakers got in the 2nd round, he worked out for them and I think he is gonna be big for the lakers he was lighting it up in summer league, he is 6’8, short wingspan but he is lights out shooter, quick release, knows how to get open and he can attack closeout and get to the rim and he is much better athlete than people realize, looks solid on defense too, he could be like klay Thompson. Evans didn’t look good so far offensively but if he can defend, move the ball, set picks, and cut hard then he can fit with them, with their style they move ball and bodies so well they can plug almost anyone in the 2nd unit and play well.
I think javale leaving is big too, they were most dangerous on offense with him in and there aren’t many guys like him in the nba especially at that price. He was staying with James harden and lebron on the switch and staying down and making them shoot over him. And the lobs to him are just fun to watch, maybe Damian jones can do that but javale has such a long wingspan and has great hands and ability to finish around the rim. Jordan bell will probably have a great year and I’m sure cousins will be fine he doesn’t rely on vertical athleticism anyway. Hopefully Durant stays I know he loves the attitude and unselfish basketball they play and if they were to win next 2 for 4 straight it would be big for legacy. He loves the game and enjoys all aspects of it and he can score anyway he wants against anyone, and he can defend the best players, I could see him wanting to add another chapter to his career in New York but If they win he won’t leave the chance to go for 4 straight
Durant enjoys experiencing life, he could move on, esp if Cousins stays.
Mccaw is so lucky, they were going to drop him.