Cavaliers Claim Former Warriors Forward Alfonzo McKinnie
By Sam Dunn
The Golden State Warriors were up against a ticking clock in regards to Alfonzo McKinnie. Given their utter lack of flexibility up against the NBA's hard cap, they either needed to find a way to trade McKinnie, or be resigned to release him.
Ultimately, the latter turned out to be the case. And their loss is the Cleveland Cavaliers' gain, per Shams Charania.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are claiming former Warriors forward Alfonzo McKinnie off free agency waivers, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 21, 2019
McKinnie, age 27, broke onto the scene with the Warriors in 2018-19 after making 14 appearances for the Raptors the season before. He appeared in 72 regular season games for the Western Conference champs, averaging 4.7 points in 13.9 minutes, as well as 22 playoff games.
Marquese Chriss is still only 22. He’s eight months younger than one of the Warriors’ rookies (Paschall). That, beyond just immediate need, is why they picked him over McKinnie https://t.co/di7igxVi4i
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 18, 2019
The Dubs waived the 6-8 Chicago native on Friday in order to guarantee a roster spot for Marquese Chriss. McKinnie now heads to a rebuilding Cavaliers team that will have no trouble finding use for a small forward that shoots almost 50% from the floor, given the lack of options at the position outside of Cedi Osman.