Warriors player profile: Alfonzo McKinnie must prove himself again

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Editor's note: The Warriors' roster looks completely different than it did at this time last year. Golden State enters a new era at Chase Center with an injured Klay Thompson and without dynasty mainstays Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston. As the Warriors' offseason goes on, we'll do a profile on every player on the revamped roster. Friday's edition focuses on Alfonzo McKinnie. 

Alfonzo McKinnie came almost out of nowhere to make the Warriors out of training camp last year. By the end of his second NBA season, McKinnie had carved out a regular role in Golden State's rotation. 

He earned enough trust from the coaching staff to contribute during key moments in the postseason, but the uncertainty surrounding his contract means the wing could have to do it all over again next year.

Here's everything you need to know about McKinnie headed into 2019-20.  

Contract

$1,588,231 (Becomes fully guaranteed Jan. 10, 2020)

Last season

After signing an Exhibit 10 deal before training camp, McKinnie earned a roster spot following an impressive preseason, as Warriors coach Steve Kerr prioritized McKinnie's defensive promise over Danuel House's shooting ability.

Despite a foot injury early in the season, McKinnie became a key contributor for the Warriors. He averaged 4.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in 72 games, supplanting Jonas Jerebko's role in the rotation. 

However, despite his physical abilities, McKinnie occasionally struggled on defense. He posted a 107.9 defensive rating in the regular season, and that ballooned to 111.6 in the postseason.

Still, Mckinnie earned Kerr's trust. He played a big role in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals in Andre Iguodala's absence, grabbing nine rebounds and finishing a team-high plus-24 off the bench to help Golden State overcome a double-digit deficit and push the Portland Trail Blazers to the brink of elimination.

[RELATED: Where Livingston wants to end NBA career after Dubs release]

Outlook

Despite signing a two-year deal last season, McKinnie's contract doesn't become guaranteed until next January, meaning he'll have to earn a rotation spot for the second straight season. 

Still, the Warriors will integrate a lot of new players when their youth movement truly begins at training camp. McKinnie should have an edge over the fresh faces considering his familiarity with coach Kerr's system. 

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