Alfonzo McKinnie has quite the unique opportunity to get the ultimate last word during this NBA Finals. The Chicago-raised swingman will be an integral part of the Golden State Warriors' quest for a third straight title by facing none other than his former team, the Toronto Raptors, at this juncture.

McKinnie went undrafted out of Wisconsin-Green Bay five years ago, forced to play overseas in Mexico and most-recently Luxembourg, along with stints in the G-League before getting his big break in the league.

Only last season, McKinnie was part of a Raptors team that optioned him to play for their affiliate Raptors 905 in nearby Mississauga, Canada — watching from the bench in suit and pants as the Raptors fell to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018.

McKinnie was waived by the Raptors soon after the season ended, landing him back in his native Chicago with overseas offers from Spain, Greece, and Australia. Yet the swingman saved hope for a team to take notice and invite him to training camp.

The Golden State Warriors did, and he soon signed an Exhibit 10 contract as the last invitee of the franchise before the start of the preseason.

“I felt like this is my window,”  McKinnie told Logan Murdock of NBC Sports Bay Area. “And I didn't want to go into the season and miss my opportunity, being able to be in the league, because I was fresh. I mean I just got waived, I was fresh out, so people still knew who I was and stuff like that so I wanted to be around still.”

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Steph Curry and Chris Paul could play overseas.

Nick Meyer ·

Warriors' Mike Dunleavy Jr. saying "We got to be better" next to Klay Thompson and Draymond Green

Brett Siegel ·

NBA analyst Charles Barkley and recently banned Jontay Porter of the Toronto Raptors

Sonny Giuliano ·

After showing his scoring and rebounding prowess, McKinnie's deal was soon turned into a full-fledged two-year contract, one that ultimately will allow him to get the ultimate revenge against Toronto — only a year removed from appearing in only 14 games for the Raptors.

“Coming from Luxembourg and going to all these different places then finally getting a chance in the NBA and it was with Toronto,” said McKinnie. “And you know, getting waived. Getting to go to the Finals for the first time and it being against Toronto? Like, that's a fairy tale story. Like, never heard of it.”

The Warriors and Raptors will face off in Game 1 on Thursday, in a best of seven series that will determine more than just NBA history, but one of the most improbably fairy tales of this 2018-19 season.