The Golden State Warriors are waiving swingman Alfonzo McKinnie so as to make room for Marquese Chriss to join the roster, 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
McKinnie averaged 4.7 points and 3.4 rebounds while appearing in 72 games for the Warriors last season. He also averaged just under 11 minutes per game during the playoffs.
However, McKinnie has endured a tough preseason campaign in which he has had to battle for a roster spot. He started in Golden State's loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, but missed all four of his shot attempts while grabbing just three rebounds in 23 minutes of action.
Meanwhile, Chriss thrived. The former eighth overall pick scored eight points and pulled down five boards, giving him the upper hand on the final roster spot for a Warriors team that has consistently needed more frontcourt depth in recent years.
Chriss has had a tumultuous journey in the NBA. He was drafted by the Phoenix Suns, but put together rather mediocre averages in his first two years with the team. Chriss began last season with the Houston Rockets, but he demanded a trade due to a lack of playing time. Houston would ship him off to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he averaged under 15 minutes per game in 27 appearances.
The Warriors signed Willie Cauley-Stein to be their starting center this year, but Chriss could be the perfect complementary player in Steve Kerr's perimeter-oriented system. He has tremendous athleticism and can contribute as a rebounder and a help defender in the frontcourt.
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