© Ken Blaze | 2019 Jan 5
Just when we thought it was over, the Patrick McCaw saga continues.
The latest comes via Marc Stein of The New York Times, who reported on Tuesday that the NBA is investigating the Cavaliers signing and near-immediate release of McCaw at the request of the Golden State Warriors.
The NBA will launch a formal review into Cleveland’s signing and near-immediate release of restricted free agent Patrick McCaw at the request of Golden State, @NYTSports has learned
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 8, 2019
McCaw was released by Cleveland on January 6 just a week after joining the Cavs, due to the Warriors declining to match an offer sheet for the restricted free agent. Cleveland had until Monday to decide if they wanted to keep McCaw on their roster and pay him a prorated $3 million for the rest of the season. McCaw played in just three games for the Cavaliers, scoring five points in 53 minutes.
Though the Cavaliers’ conduct clearly goes agains the spirit of the restricted free agency rules, it would appear that they operated within the bylaws to come to a mutually beneficial result. The Warriors are yet to comment on the situation.
It is possible that if the NBA rules in the Warriors’ favor, they could be awarded a draft pick, according to Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area.
With the NBA agreeing to review the curious deal between the Cavs and restricted free agent Pat McCaw, it's conceivable the Warriors could get some form of compensation. A future draft pick is not out of the question.
— Monte Poole (@MontePooleNBCS) January 8, 2019
McCaw averaged 4 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 57 games last season, his second with the Warriors after they selected him with the 38th overall pick in the 2016 draft. McCaw was expected to step into an expanded role in year three, but decided to hold out instead of agreeing to the Warriors two-year, $5.2 million offer during the offseason.
McCaw is now slated to become an unrestricted free agent.