The Golden State Warriors declined to match a two-year, $6 million offer sheet for restricted free agent Patrick McCaw, clearing the way for him to join the Cleveland Cavaliers, league sources told ESPN.
Golden State had until 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday to match the offer sheet, but let McCaw go to the Cavaliers on a deal that is non-guaranteed.
The deal is non-guaranteed, which means Cleveland doesn't have to make a decision on keeping McCaw on its roster at a pro-rated $3 million for the rest of the season until Jan. 7. McCaw's 2019-20 contract is non-guaranteed for $3 million. The Cavaliers will get the opportunity to watch McCaw, a 23-year-old forward, for the rest of the season before deciding whether to guarantee the second year of his deal.
McCaw can't be traded this season once his contract is guaranteed after Jan. 7.
Matching the McCaw offer sheet would have elevated the Warriors' luxury tax bill $11.3 million to $61.6 million.
Besides the prohibitive financial considerations, Golden State wanted to keep its 15th roster spot open for now. The Warriors are expected to guarantee forward Alfonzo McKinnie's contract in January too.
McCaw averaged four points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 57 games last season, his second in the NBA. McCaw was sidelined for almost two months with a bone bruise in his lower back near the end of last season after a horrific fall during a game at Sacramento.
McCaw was the 38th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft out of UNLV.