Patrick McCaw will be a restricted free agent after the season and the second-year wing is “regarded as a top target” for teams as they look ahead to the 2018 free agent class, Bobby Marks of ESPN.com writes. Opposing teams like McCaw’s age and versatility and he could draw offers despite the restricted status.
Opposing teams can only sign the 22-year-old to an offer sheet starting at an estimated $8.6MM because of the Arenas provision, though a rival could backload to the deal akin to what the Nets did to the Heat with Tyler Johnson and dare Golden State to match.
The Warriors own McCaw’s Early Bird rights because of the two-year contract he signed back in 2016. As a result, the franchise can offer him a contract up with a starting salary of up to approximately $8.7MM.
Golden State selected McCaw with the No. 38 overall pick in the 2016 draft and he’s carved out a role with the club. He has seen 14.7 minutes per contest over his first 94 games as a pro and he should see additional opportunities with Stephen Curry sidelined. He’s currently in the league’s concussion protocol program after getting hit in the face during Monday’s game against the Pelicans.
The new CBA allows only under-the-cap teams who match Arenas offer sheets to spread the massively unequal salaries evenly, correct? But an over-the-cap team like GS couldn’t, correct?
That’s my understanding of the rule, though Marks’ piece suggests otherwise. I’ve reached out to him for clarification.
Yeah me too, and I think cbafaq describes it the same way. But Marks and other outlets I’ve read seem to make the smoothing option universal. Chime in hear if you do get clarification, I’m interested.
Following up: Marks confirmed to me that the matching-and-averaging option is only available for teams with enough cap room to do it. So it almost certainly won’t be an option for the Warriors with McCaw (though I’d be surprised if he gets an offer that big anyway).