It would spike their tax bill and limit cap space
If the Warriors could bring McCaw back without any repercussions, then I’d probably say go for it. However, that’s not the case. As ESPN’s Bobby Marks detailed, the Dubs would see an $11.3 million spike in their luxury tax bill if they matched the offer proposed to McCaw.
McCaw has clearly indicated that he no longer wants to play for Warriors. As @BobbyMarks42 reports, matching sheet and keeping McCaw will cost Golden State $11.3M tax.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 28, 2018
For starters, that alone makes matching McCaw not worth it. On top of that, the Dubs would limit themselves even more this upcoming free agency. They’d have McCaw’s contract on their books. While just $3 million, that could potentially decide the fate of Kevin Durant.
Durant and Klay Thompson will both be free agents this upcoming offseason. The Warriors will need to free up as much money as possible in hopes to bring both back and continue their dominance.
Financially, it doesn’t make sense to bring McCaw back, especially since they could sign a more impactful player. The Warriors need a center, not a playmaking guard that isn’t proven to be better than Quinn Cook or Alfonzo McKinnie.
Will they match it? Probably not, and for now, that seems like the right move.