Reports: Warriors to keep Marquese Chriss, waive Alfonzo McKinnie

The Warriors are parting with one young prospect to make way for another.

Per multiple reports, Golden State is waiving forward Alfonzo McKinnie and plans to keep former No. 8 overall pick Marquese Chriss. Chriss was signed on Oct. 1 and averaged 9.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 22.6 minutes per game in the preseason. McKinnie averaged 5 ppg, 5 rpg and 0.8 bpg while playing 21.5 mpg. Both players appeared in four preseason games for Golden State.

Per a source, Warriors are waiving Alfonzo McKinnie to clear way for Marquese Chriss.

— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) October 18, 2019

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 was an undrafted prospect whom the Warriors signed in the summer of 2018 after he appeared in 25 games for the Toronto Raptors in 2017-18. He was a solid contributor in the team’s run to The Finals last year, particularly in the Western Conference finals. In that series, McKinnie appeared in all four games vs. Portland and averaged 5.8 ppg and 3.3 rpg in 17.5 mpg off the bench.

Chriss averaged 4.2 ppg and 3.3 rpg in 11.6 mpg last season, which he split between the Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers. A three-year NBA veteran, Chriss has averaged 7.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 19.1 mpg in 197 career games. He was originally drafted by the Phoenix Suns, who traded him to Houston in August of 2018.