Second-round pick, first-rate investment?
In advance of the start of training camp Tuesday, The Chronicle is analyzing the Warriors player-by-player. This installment focuses on Patrick McCaw, who hopes to build off a strong summer-league showing.
The NBA draft’s second round, in which contracts aren’t guaranteed, is a chance for teams to take flyers on overlooked players. Many of these late picks spend time overseas or in the Development League before cracking an NBA roster, if they make one at all.
However, the Warriors view Patrick McCaw — the No. 38 selection in June’s draft — as a viable part of their future. They paid Milwaukee $2.4 million for the UNLV alum’s rights, and they signed him to a guaranteed two-year deal. Golden State executive board member Jerry West told KNBR soon after the draft that “people are gonna be sorry they didn't draft” McCaw.
He looks like a wise investment. As the only player on the Las Vegas Summer League roster under contract with the NBA club, McCaw led the Warriors with 15.8 points per game on 46.7 percent shooting (38.2 from threepoint range). He poured in 28 points on 10-for-17 shooting, including 5-for-11 from threepoint range, in a loss to Toronto.
Though he has the size of a shooting guard, McCaw is a capable enough facilitator to initiate the offense. His versatility, quick first step and clean shooting mechanics make him an ideal fit for Golden State’s up-tempo offense.
McCaw, who can guard at least three positions, was one of the nation’s best on-ball defenders at UNLV. By staying active in passing lanes, he creates easy transition opportunities. His 2.45 steals per game as a sophomore last season ranked sixth nationally.
Of course, McCaw (6-foot-7, 185 pounds) has plenty of room for improvement. He gets knocked off balance too easily coming off screens and needs to get stronger. Known for his precariously high dribble, McCaw is careless with the ball at times.
A major spot in the rotation is unlikely in a backcourt that features Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Shaun Livingston and Andre Iguodala. To eat up the bulk of the 15.9 minutes per game left by Leandro Barbosa, now with Phoenix, McCaw will have to inch ahead of fourth-year guard Ian Clark on the depth chart.