Planning for roster minus guard McCaw

With the Warriors set to open their preseason Saturday evening against Minnesota, one notable name is still missing from Golden State’s roster: guard Patrick McCaw.

McCaw, who received a $1.7 million qualifying offer from the Warriors in June, is holding out for a better contract. With McCaw still not in training camp, Golden State head coach Steve Kerr will begin ironing out the rotation without him.

“It will never affect his standing amongst us as a human being or as a teammate,” Kerr said Friday of McCaw’s situation. “We’re going to support him no matter what. But we have a game tomorrow, so we have to do our jobs.

“So, I have no idea how it all plays out. We’re just going to play a game tomorrow, take Sunday off and practice on Monday. I can’t tell you exactly when I’m going to have my rotation down for opening night, but it sort of unfolds over the course of camp.”

The Warriors, who have 13 players — two shy of the league maximum — under contract, are open to entering the season with only 14. If McCaw doesn’t return to Golden State, the team could pick between a number of established wing players — Jamal Crawford, Arron Afflalo and Corey Brewer, among others — who are available.

However, the Warriors might prefer to put twoway-contract player Damion Lee on the 15-man roster. It is also possible that Kendrick Nunn, Tyler Ulis, Danuel House or Alfonzo McKinnie — all of whom have been invited to training camp to compete for the team’s second twoway contract — could impress the front office enough in preseason to snag McCaw’s old roster spot.

“That’s my teammate, that’s my brother,” Warriors point guard Stephen Curry said Wednesday of McCaw. “He’s been through a lot the last six months with his injury and trying to come back for the playoffs.

“Just like I told him — at the end of the day, I hope he’s got good people in his corner giving him some sound advice.”

Briefly: Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins continues to make steady progress in his rehab from a torn left Achilles tendon. In addition to individual rehab responsibilities, Cousins participated in 5-on-0 drills and defensive skill work Friday. “He’s feeling more part of things now, which is great,” Kerr said . ... Kerr confirmed that, with Cousins out, Damian Jones will start at center Saturday. Jordan Bell and Kevon Looney will come off the bench.