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The saga with Patrick McCaw continues, but the Golden State Warriors appear unfazed.
On Monday, the qualifying offer that the team had extended to the third-year wing expired, unsigned. Then it was reported that McCaw was considering a two-year deal that the Warriors had put on the table. And then it came out that McCaw would reject the Warriors offer, which turned out to be a two-year, $5.2 million deal with a non-guaranteed second year.
With that news out, it started to seem unlikely that McCaw would be returning to the Warriors. Anthony Slater even reported that the locker room had noticed what was going on, suggesting that perhaps this was impacting the team.
One team source on Patrick McCaw’s free agency strategy: “Bizarre.” Tough to imagine him returning at this point. It’s a 9th/10th man hardballing the defending champs. The locker room has noticed. But in long run, he’s betting on himself. On him to prove he’s right.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 2, 2018
But the Warriors aren’t going away that easily. According to Mark Medina, the team still has their sights set on keeping McCaw around for the coming season.
Even with McCaw's decision, I'm told Warriors still remain intent on re-signing him. We'll see where this goes.
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) October 2, 2018
If the Warriors want McCaw, there’s not much the 22-year old can do about it. Golden State retains McCaw’s right of first refusal, meaning he is a restricted free agent, and the Warriors can match any offer another team gives him.
It’s also unclear what McCaw wants, though it would certainly seem like a guaranteed second year may be the contract hold up that he is seeking resolution for.