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Warriors: Why Nemanja Bjelica will be free agency’s most underrated signing

By Nathan Beighle

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 10: Nemanja Bjelica #88 of the Sacramento Kings sets for a three-point shot during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on February 10, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 10: Nemanja Bjelica #88 of the Sacramento Kings sets for a three-point shot during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on February 10, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors, on top of adding former Bulls forward Otto Porter Jr. to a veteran’s minimum deal, also managed to agree to terms with forward Nemanja Bjelica, an elite three-point shooting big man.

Adding Bjelica isn’t going to make much news throughout the league as he’s not an incredibly impactful player, but it’s the perfect player for Golden State to bring off the bench. Bjelica last played in the NBA for the Miami Heat.

With their first two moves, the Warriors added Otto Porter Jr. and Nemanja Bjelica, the latter of which could be the most underrated signing in free agency.

Bjelica played three seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves then was in Sacramento for two and a half seasons before spending just a handful of games with the Heat. The 6-foot-10 forward was originally a second-round pick back in the 2010 NBA Draft.

At his peak, Bjelica averaged 11.5 points per game. It’s not like he’s going to be some insanely talented scorer, but he is a top-tier three-point shooter.

At his size, combining him with Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson will produce big-time results. After all, Bjelica shot 42 percent from deep his last full season in Sacramento, one reason he was being looked at by many teams upon hitting the open market.

The Warriors haven’t had a sharpshooter of his size for quite some time. His ability to space the floor is going to create spacing for the others that they just didn’t have when Green shared the floor with a player like Kevon Looney.

Bjelica is a 39 percent career three-point shooter, so that season was no accident. That said, Bjelica also averaged over seven rebounds per 36 minutes in each of the seasons he’s played in the NBA.

The numbers support the Warriors move, and at the veteran’s minimum, his impact should certainly be far greater than his salary. In terms of value, adding one of the league’s best three-point shooting big men is an absolute steal.

Combine Bjelica with Otto Porter Jr., who has a career three-point average of over 40 percent, and you’ll have a team fit to help space the floor for the Big 3. Given how the Warriors play, Bjelica is the exact player they needed to sign.

Next. Top 30 Golden State Warriors players in franchise history. dark

General manager Bob Myers and the Warriors front office have been absolutely terrific to start free agency.

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