Golden State Warriors: 5 goals for Patrick McCaw in 2017-18

4. Add skill

Similar to how McCaw’s frame currently limits his upside on defense, his lack of skill relegates him to offensive role player.

This is not a huge problem. If McCaw peaks as better defensive version of Joe Ingles, that is a supremely valuable guy to have. For him to get his biggest possible payday next summer though, he needs to convince the league that he has potential as a scorer. In order to do that, he needs to show significant skill development this year.

This is not an over-the-top prescription. It is unrealistic to ask McCaw to suddenly become a high free throw rate guy or an iso shot creator, but there are strides he can make. A tightened handle. More willingness to shoot off the dribble. A work-in-progress Eurostep. Anything that shows progress towards becoming more than a spot-up guy.

We saw McCaw create in Summer League. While neither he nor the Warriors would benefit from him displaying that level of assertiveness against NBA competition, he clearly has it in him somewhere. If he starts to hone those skills while turning down fewer shots, the picture of him as a very good starter will become more clear.