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On Friday morning, news broke that the Golden State Warriors were signing training camp invite Alfonzo McKinnie to a two-way contract. But the team had bigger plans all along. Just a few hours later, news came out that the team was converting McKinnie’s two-way contract into a two-year contract for the minimum.
Sources on @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium: The Warriors and forward Alfonzo McKinnie have agreed to a two-year minimum deal, clearing way for him to be 14th spot on regular-season roster.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 12, 2018
So, why the two-way contract first? It was procedural, to allow the team to make this move.
Golden State had converted McKinnie's Exhibit 10 deal to a two-way contract earlier today. Example of the team and agent taking advantage of CBA rules to renegotiate a one-year Exhibit 10 to multiyear deal. https://t.co/UsC5eCMONk
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 12, 2018
With McKinnie now on the roster, the team has used 14 roster spots. They have maintained that they don’t want to use 15, which suggests one of three things: Either they’ve given up on retaining Patrick McCaw, McKinnie’s contract is non-guaranteed (Update: it is), and the team is open to waiving him if need be, or they’ve changed their stance on using all 15 slots.
As planned, Warriors will enter the season with only 14 roster guys. That vacant 15th spot can remain as a leverage point with still restricted free agent Patrick McCaw.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 12, 2018
The Warriors are now back to just one two-way contract, which they’ve used on Damion Lee. They now have an open two-way contract to use, perhaps on Marcus Derrickson or Deyonta Davis.
Update: The contract is fully non-guaranteed, which means the team can cut McKinnie anytime before January 10 without having to pay his full salary for the year. In other words, if they work out something with McCaw, McKinnie can be cut.
Source: Alfonzo McKinnie's deal with the Warriors is non-guaranteed. Won't become fully guaranteed for the season until Jan. 10th. He enters season as 14th man, but Warriors maintain extra flexibility (for McCaw or otherwise).
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 12, 2018