Warriors players baffled by Patrick McCaw’s contract decision

The way Patrick McCaw has handled his contract situation has left many of his Golden State Warriors teammates baffled.

McCaw, who is entering his third season in the league, turned down a qualifying offer from the Warriors. He also has declined a two-year contract offer worth a reported $5.2 million. The second year of the deal was not guaranteed, but the first year would have given McCaw $2.5 million.

“You can’t do this after two years,” one Warriors player told The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson. “You’ve got to get the clout first. He doesn’t have the leverage.”

Another Warriors player told Thompson he supports McCaw but does not understand what the guard is doing. Warriors players reportedly are frustrated because McCaw is shutting them out and not communicating with them while holding out.

McCaw is a restricted free agent and the Warriors still hold his rights. They can match any offer he receives in free agency, but he has not signed an offer sheet with another team to force the Warriors to make a decision. The market so far has not told him he’s worth any more money than the Warriors have offered him, possibly because of concerns over his back.

Golden State has kept a roster spot open for McCaw and hope to get him back at some point. Perhaps McCaw’s patience will pay off, but for now, his strategy does not seem to be making much sense.