Patrick McCawโs Legendary Three-Peat Start to His NBA Career ๐๐
When Patrick McCaw stepped onto the hardwood for his first NBA game, no one could have predicted that he was about to make league history in one of the most bizarrely legendary ways imaginable. Drafted 38th overall in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks (and then traded to the Golden State Warriors), McCaw entered the league quietly โ a second-round pick with modest expectations. But what unfolded over the next three seasons would make his name immortal in NBA trivia lore.
McCaw won an NBA championship in each of his first three seasons โ 2017 and 2018 with the Warriors, and 2019 with the Toronto Raptors โ making him the only player in modern NBA history to three-peat to start a career with two different franchises.
In his rookie year with the Warriors, McCaw played a minor but respected role. He appeared in 71 regular season games and stepped up when needed, even starting two playoff games in the 2017 postseason as Golden State steamrolled through the playoffs with a 16-1 record en route to the title. McCawโs poise under pressure and defensive energy earned him praise from veterans like Andre Iguodala and coach Steve Kerr.
In 2018, he battled through a terrifying spinal contusion following a mid-air fall but returned just in time for the Finals, where the Warriors swept LeBron Jamesโ Cavaliers. Despite limited minutes, McCaw became a back-to-back champion โ already reaching a career pinnacle most veterans never touch.
The 2018-2019 season brought an unexpected twist. After declining a qualifying offer from the Warriors and a brief (and strange) stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, McCaw signed with the Toronto Raptors in January 2019. While his on-court contributions were limited (averaging just over 2 points per game), he became a part of the Raptors’ rotation during their historic championship run โ the franchiseโs first and only title, led by Kawhi Leonard.
McCawโs three titles in three years cemented a quirky yet compelling legacy. Though never a star, his presence on rosters stacked with Hall-of-Fame talent meant he learned from the best while collecting hardware most players dream of.
In an NBA defined by stars and stat sheets, McCawโs legacy stands as a testament to timing, preparation, and a little bit of basketball magic. Whether it was luck, destiny, or pure hustle โ Patrick McCawโs three-peat start remains one of the most legendary beginnings in NBA history.
