SAN FRANCISCO — Steve Kerr confirmed reports Friday that the Warriors will waive forward Alfonzo McKinnie. The team plans on making it official Saturday morning, with Marquese Chriss expected to break camp with the team.
Sources confirmed to Bay Area News Group that the team and Chriss have agreed to a one-year non-guaranteed minimum contract.
The move was necessitated by the Warriors’ dearth of center options as the regular season looms. The waiving of McKinnie means Chriss stays. The Warriors could not retain both players because of their marginal wiggle room under the hard cap. McKinnie will hit waivers, where one of the 29 other teams will have their shot at securing an NBA-ready forward.
“It’s a really, really difficult move to make because we have so much respect for Zo and not only his talent on the court, but character off the court,” Kerr said. “He’s been fantastic, just a real pro. He’s the kind of person you want on your team. And he’s an NBA player. He helped us win a lot of games last year; helped us get to the Finals. He’s everything you want from a player in your locker room in terms of being a great teammate and great worker.”
McKinnie’s sacrifice paves the way for Chriss, who not only lengthens a short Warriors team, but also provides a prospect potential the team’s essentially lacked since the Splash Brothers first walked Oracle Arena’s halls. The Sacramento Kings drafted Chriss No. 8 overall in 2016 and sent him to the Phoenix Suns in a prearranged deal.
“It’s exciting to think of Marquese as a prospect for us in the future,” Kerr said. “We haven’t had a high draft pick here in seven, eight years. So to get a 22-year-old who is a high lottery pick, means a lot adding that kind of talent to the roster.”
Chriss never quite fulfilled his high-draft pick expectations, though. But in camp started to match production with potential. He averaged 9.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 3 assists in 22.6 minutes. Kerr said he’s been most surprised by Chriss’ passing abilities, how well he could screen and pass at the top of the key. His weakness follows that of the team itself.
“The biggest growth has to come defensively, we’re asking him to play up,” Kerr said. “He’s really a 4 in terms of his size but we’re asking him to play 5 and there’s a lot of responsibility there too. That will come. We’re going to continue to work with him and teach him and Draymond will continue to mentor him.”
Chriss will be thrown into the center rotation along with Kevon Looney (hamstring) and Willie Cauley-Stein (foot) who are both out with injuries. Looney will scrimmage in upcoming practices before the regular season begins, and there is a possibility he plays opening night.
Chriss, though, is a lock to start the season with the Warriors.