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Golden State Warriors: 3 players facing the most pressure going into 2019

By Justin Fried

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 20: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts in the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Barclays Center on April 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Brooklyn Nets 112-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 20: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts in the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Barclays Center on April 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Brooklyn Nets 112-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors
DENVER, COLORADO – JANUARY 15: Alfonzo McKinnie #10 of the Golden State Warriors plays the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on January 15, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

2. Alfonzo McKinnie

The Warriors roster still looks pretty stacked at the top even with their various losses this offseason.

The backcourt duo of Curry and Russell is still one of the best in the league, Draymond Green is still the perennial All-Star that he is, and the combination of Willie Cauley-Stein and Kevon Looney promises to be a very formidable duo at center.

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However, the team doesn’t exactly have a viable starter at small forward.

Losing Kevin Durant was obviously not ideal but perhaps the loss of Andre Iguodala will be felt even more — or at least in a different way. Regardless, the departures of both has left the Warriors without a starting small forward.

At the moment, the expected day one starter will be holdover Alfonzo McKinnie. A former undrafted free agent, McKinnie performed admirably in his first season as a bench contributor last year.

In 72 games played, McKinnie averaged 4.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in 13.9 minutes per game. Not mind-blowing numbers, but respectable nonetheless.

McKinnie is an above-average rebounder and has shown flashes of outside shooting in the past but his inconsistencies solidify him as an average bench player at best. But now, he’ll be asked to start while Klay Thompson rehabs from his torn ACL.

Related Story. Golden State Warriors: 3 ways that Russell, Curry, and Thompson will work together. light

Thompson is expected to fill in at the three once he returns, but McKinnie should be given every opportunity to play 20+ minutes per game while starting at small forward for the time being.

In a Warriors starting five that still looks stacked, McKinnie is the clear weak spot. And he will be facing a ton of pressure next season as he attempts to prove that he could be a viable starter in this league.

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