Patrick McCaw could be a higher-ceiling David Nwaba for Cavs

The Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly filled their last roster spot with the signing of Patrick McCaw, who could bring a similar skill set as another player in Cleveland’s current rotation, in David Nwaba.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a bunch of perimeter players on their roster right now that warrant playing considerable minutes. Realistically, that includes Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, Matthew Dellavedova, Alec Burks, and more. Rodney Hood and David Nwaba are currently dealing with reported Achilles soreness and a sprained ankle, respectively. Patrick McCaw figures to be in the mix as well soon, and could provide a similar skill set to Nwaba.

Due to the Golden State Warriors not matching the Cavs’ two-year, $6 million offer sheet they reportedly gave McCaw, he is now a Cavalier, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who had more on McCaw’s contract situation.

"“The deal is non-guaranteed, which means Cleveland doesn’t have to make a decision on keeping McCaw on its roster at a pro-rated $3 million for the rest of the season until Jan. 7. McCaw’s 2019-20 contract is non-guaranteed for $3 million."

Wojnarowski would also add this quick bit.

"“McCaw can’t be traded this season once his contract is guaranteed after Jan. 7.”"

Given all the names mentioned before that deserve to play for Cleveland in considerable roles, something has to give.

I would think there’s a very small chance all of those players (especially the expiring Hood and Burks, who have a “decent chance” of being moved, per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst) will be in the Cavs’ rotation after the February 7 NBA trade deadline.

With that likely change being the case for the Cleveland Cavaliers, opportunity should be knocking for McCaw to establish himself in Cleveland’s rotation the rest of the season.

In his first two professional seasons with the Golden State Warriors (in which he won two NBA championships), McCaw averaged 4.0 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 15.9 minutes per game.

Though his situation with the Warriors was odd this year, he’s now a Cavalier, and bet on himself.

For Cavs head coach Larry Drew, McCaw’s 6-foot-7 frame and 6-foot-10 wingspan could be of good use defensively on the perimeter against opposing 1’s, 2’s, and small-ball 3’s.

McCaw’s speed and active hands could allow Cleveland to have another player with good length they could put on opposing primary ball-handlers for considerable stretches, just like they do when Nwaba (who has a seven-foot wingspan) is healthy.

Drew highlighted how McCaw could be a key on-ball defender for the Cavs, per Spencer Davies of Basketball Insiders.

"“He really gets down in a stance,” Drew said. “You can’t play with the ball in front of him. He’s got a knack for coming up with it.”"

McCaw has 1.3 steals per 36 minutes in his first two seasons, per Basketball Reference. Given that Cleveland’s length and defensive IQ on the perimeter isn’t good enough right now, having McCaw’s good defensive instincts and technique could be huge from a depth standpoint.

Nwaba has been banged up a lot this season, and the Cavs haven’t had consistency on the defensive perimeter without him on the floor healthy.

McCaw could fit well in the Cavs’ second unit at times alongside either Dellavedova or Clarkson at the 2 and put a ton of pressure on opposing playmakers. In addition, with McCaw’s ability to force turnovers on the perimeter and as a solid team defender when doubling, he could bring value going the other way as a transition playmaker or at least initiate the break.

His hustle should bring energy and much-needed extra possessions for Cleveland. Here’s a few examples of that tenacity and team-first play, per The Athletic’s Anthony Slater.

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Those sort of plays go a long way in setting the tone for the near future for a team in their rebuild.

Along with the defensive side, McCaw can handle the ball for the Cavs in spurts, too, and initiate the offense some, which could lessen the offensive burden on Sexton, Cedi Osman, and Clarkson.

While McCaw is not a primary playmaker, he has a good basketball IQ, and playing in that Golden State unselfish system, he should be a positive in terms of initiating more ball and man movement for Cleveland, who currently ranks second-last in assist percentage, per NBA.com.

McCaw moves without the ball very well, and although he obviously won’t have the same spacing on Cleveland that he had on the Warriors, he should provide value as an instinctive cutter both in transition and in the halfcourt.

That is similar to what Nwaba does as an defensive/energy reserve guy that sort of manufactures his own high-percentage looks, though McCaw can create his own shot better and is a much better free throw shooter (77.5 for his career, per Basketball Reference).

In the corner, McCaw was a very good catch-and-shoot three-point shooter for Golden State in his second year. Last season, he shot 45.5 percent on corner triples, per Basketball Reference. If he can hit those for the Cavs on deliveries from Dellavedova, Osman, Sexton, Kevin Love and Larry Nance Jr., he could prove to be an efficient low-usage piece.

It will probably take McCaw a little while to get acclimated, but I believe the Cavs didn’t go out to get him just to not keep him around. He has good height on the perimeter, and in due time, McCaw could be a nice two-way piece for Cleveland. The guy is only 23, and he should get plenty of chances to prove himself.