Nemanja

Bjelica

Bjelica announced his retirement after a 20-year professional career, with seven spent in the NBA. The 35th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, he debuted with the Timberwolves in 2015. Throughout seven seasons, he appeared in 449 games, averaging 7.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in a little over 20 minutes. A member of Golden State’s 2022 NBA champion squad, Bjelica played his last season of professional basketball with Fenerbahce in Turkey.

After spending the 2021-22 season with the Warriors, Bjelica agreed to a two-year deal with Fenerbahce. However, after a calf injury limited the veteran big man to nine games, the club decided that he was not in their plans for the 2023-24 campaign. With that being the case, Bjelica is reported returning to Cverna Zvezda, a club he played for from 2008 to 2010 before being drafted in the second round of the 2010 NBA Draft by the Wizards.

The Warriors did have interest in bringing Bjelica back on the veteran minimum, but now he’s leaving the NBA entirely. Bjelica just won a championship with the Dubs, but he’ll now be taking his talents to one of Turkey’s top basketball clubs, the same one where he previously played from 2013-2015 before leaving Europe for the NBA. Currently 34 years of age, one has to wonder if Game 5 of the Finals was the last we’ll see of Bjelica in the NBA. The Warriors should be alright without him.

Porter was not expected to play in Game 5, and Warriors coach Steve Kerr made the news official during his pregame media availability. His absence opens up minutes for Jonathan Kuminga and/or Nemanja Bjelica, but it may not be enough to make either player worth slotting into DFS lineups.

OPJ missed Games 5 & 6 of the Warriors second round matchup with Memphis, but it looks like he’ll be back in action for the Western Conference Finals, which could result in Nemanja Bjelica getting bumped from the rotation.

Porter hurt his foot after playing 12 minutes off the bench in Game 5. Jonathan Kuminga started the game, but Nemanja Bjelica started the second half and should play a big role if Porter is out for Game 6. Porter has been a solid role player for the Warriors this postseason and can be a solid DFS option if he plays. If he doesn’t, Bjelica and Juan Toscano-Anderson should both make for decent replacements.

Porter was ruled out for the remainder of Wednesday’s blowout loss at halftime, and the fact that he’s on the injury report is a bit concerning. While he hasn’t been a prolific contributor during this series, Porter has been effective at the power forward position. If he’s either limited or unable to play in Game 6, that would open up a few more minutes for a player like Jonathan Kuminga (who has been ineffective as a starter) or Nemanja Bjelica. However, neither offers much in the way of DFS upside.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr has relied primarily on experience in this series, but that changed in Game 4. After Nemanja Bjelica (one rebound, one assist) struggled in his five-minute stint on the court Kuminga’s name was called, and he played relatively well. Unfortunately, the combination of minutes played and lack of defensive production makes him a non-factor as far as DFS is concerned. Sunday’s run may have earned Kuminga another look come Wednesday night, possibly at Bjelica’s expense.

With Porter and Wiggins getting the night off on the second leg of the back-to-back, Jonathan Kuminga should be in line for plenty of minutes against New Orleans. Moses Moody and Nemanja Bjelica should also see some extra minutes behind Kuminga and Draymond Green at the forward spot.

Bjelica had been a non-factor, even with the Warriors constantly resting their veteran players, but that was not the case in this one. He tallied just his third double-double of the season in this one that will likely go down as his best game of the season unless he can top it in the final three games. We certainly aren’t betting on that though, so no need to overreact to this performance. Jonathan Kuminga chipped in 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting (2-of-3 3-pointers) to go with five rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in 30 minutes.