Patrick McCaw Waived by Cavs; ex-Warrior Could Become NBA Free Agent

Well, that was quick.

Former Warrior Patrick McCaw played three games in a Cleveland Cavaliers uniform, averaging just 1.7 points in 17.7 minutes, since signing with the team last week.

He won't be playing any more. At least for the time being, anyway.

The Cavs waived McCaw on Sunday, shortly after The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that the team planned to do so. McCaw's stay lasted less than one week after he joined Cleveland on a two-year, non-guaranteed $6 million offer sheet that Golden State declined to match.

Assuming he passes through waivers, McCaw will become an unrestricted free agent, free to sign a new contract with any NBA team (including the Cavaliers or the Warriors), although any deal he would be guaranteed as of Monday. 

The NBA deadline to guarantee contracts for players on non-guaranteed deals -- like McCaw, or Golden State's Alfonzo McKinnie -- is Monday. For this reason, the timing of the transaction doesn't come as a complete surprise.

The Warriors are well into the luxury tax, and if they declined to match the Cavs' offer sheet, we can assume they won't pursue McCaw once he hits the open market. Not to mention, it almost certainly would require parting with McKinnie, whom they've clearly prioritized over McCaw.

[RELATED: McKinnie details how he blocked out McCaw distraction]

The Cavs could remain an option, though, as could a variety of playoff contenders:

So, it begs the question: Was this a pre-planned agreement between McCaw and the Cavs to get him out from Warriors control?

Based on the timing -- and the bloated offer sheet -- it sure seems that way.

Cleveland currently is 8-32, losers of nine straight, sitting in last place in the NBA. Wins have been hard to come by, but in assisting McCaw's departure from Golden State -- the team largely responsible for their implosion -- perhaps the Cavs are enjoying a small victory today.

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