(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The writing was on the wall for Alfonzo McKinnie. The small forward will be cut by the hard-capped Golden State Warriors to make room to sign Marquese Chriss, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Sources: The Golden State Warriors are waiving forward Alfonzo McKinnie, clearing way for Marquese Chriss to make regular-season roster. McKinnie will be one of the top available players on market.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 18, 2019
As the only player with a non-guaranteed contract, McKinnie’s spot on the Warriors’ roster has been tenuous for some time. Injuries at the center position to Kevon Looney, Willie Cauley-Stein and Omari Spellman, made Chriss, who has impressed in the preseason, a more necessary piece than McKinnie. Jordan Poole, Damion Lee, Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks will compete for playing time at small forward.
McKinnie, 27, unexpectedly made the Warriors’ opening night roster last season, just two years removed from playing in Luxembourg. An unknown in NBA circles, McKinnie proved to be an excellent rebounder and shot over 35 percent from 3-point range during the regular season. In all, McKinnie averaged over four points and three rebounds in 13.9 minutes per game.