Patrick McCaw
Kicking things off is someone who is no longer a member of the Golden State Warriors, though he clearly was in the future plans of the Warriors’ youth movement: Patrick McCaw. Though he was a restricted free agent Golden State offered him a guaranteed contract of two years, 5.2 million and clearly wanted him back with a designated spot in the rotation.
Instead, McCaw opted to sign a two-year, (non-guaranteed) deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers for just a little more money, but with undoubtedly higher risk. It continues to remain a puzzling decision, but McCaw clearly conveyed his wanting to no longer be a Warrior and Golden State obliged, rejecting to match his contract offer.
McCaw showed much promise in his rookie year, playing solid minutes on the way towards Golden State winning the title, but slumped in his sophomore year, including a scary injury that essentially knocked him out of the rotation. With other younger players stepping up in his absence, his leaving Golden State is a hit to the youth movement, but not necessarily an all-around loss.