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Golden State Warriors: 5 goals for the 2018 offseason

By Josh Cornelissen

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: Andre Iguodala #9, Klay Thompson #11, Stephen Curry #30, Draymond Green #23 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 108-85 to win the 2018 NBA Finals. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: Andre Iguodala #9, Klay Thompson #11, Stephen Curry #30, Draymond Green #23 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 108-85 to win the 2018 NBA Finals. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images /

4. Bring back Patrick McCaw if the price is reasonable

During the run to the 2017 NBA Finals, the Warriors worked rookie Patrick McCaw into the rotation as a backup to Andre Iguodala. At 6’7″, McCaw has the size the Warriors covet in their wing players. During the Finals themselves McCaw played crucial minutes in the closeout Game 5, and he was openly discussed as the potential replacement for Iguodala as the Warriors’ Swiss army knife.

In 2017-18 McCaw took a step back, unable to parlay his playoff performance into a larger role. Instead his minutes went to Nick Young, signed to a one-year deal, as the Warriors turned to the better shooter. McCaw shot just 23.8 percent from behind the arc.

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Then late in the season, McCaw went up for a dunk and was undercut by NBA veteran Vince Carter, and he landed hard on his back. After being removed from the court on a stretcher, McCaw was diagnosed with a lumbar spine contusion and missed most of the remaining games for Golden State, returning for a few spot minutes in the Finals.

McCaw now hits restricted free agency in an awkward situation. In Golden State, he has a path to multiple rings (he already has two), and if he can improve his shooting, he has the chance to still succeed Iguodala when age catches up to him. However, McCaw could find more money and a larger role elsewhere, and build his brand into something more than a Warriors bit player.

While the Dubs have matching rights on any offer sheet the young swingman signs, they will be deep into the luxury tax next season and every dollar will be paid dearly. If McCaw is making a few million next season, then bringing him back is a no-brainer. But if a team such as Brooklyn, Dallas or Charlotte offers him $5-10 million per season, then the Warriors may need to let him walk and find a replacement elsewhere.

McCaw is a useful player still full of upside, and it would be a disappointment to see him blossom on another team. Yet the reality is that he has not shown enough for the Warriors to pay through the nose to retain his services. Negotiations with him will be important as free agency begins.

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