Georges Niang is back.
After a four year separation from the Utah Jazz, during which time he played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks, Niang has returned to Salt Lake City after being traded by the Boston Celtics to the Jazz (along with a pair of second round picks) in exchange for rookie RJ Luis Jr.
It is expected that Niang will remain with the Jazz next season and not be rerouted in another trade either this offseason or at the trade deadline, although he is on an expiring contract.
The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer reported earlier this week that, “Sources say Utah plans to keep veteran big man Georges Niang after reacquiring Niang this week in a trade with Boston. The Jazz also acquired second-round picks from the Celtics in 2027 and 2031 in the trade that sent two-way guard RJ Luis to Boston. The Celtics discussed trading Niang with various teams around the league, sources say, in their continued salary-shaving campaign following the luxury-tax-slashing trades that shipped out Jrue Holiday and Porziņģis.”
Jazz fans are pretty familiar with Niang and his skillset, after he spent four seasons playing as a reserve during the Rudy Gobert/Donovan Mitchell era of the franchise. Is Niang the same player he was when he was in Salt Lake City before? Or has he developed into something else?
What did Georges Niang do with the 76ers, Cavaliers and Hawks?
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Georges Niang, left, moves the ball while defended by Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, right, during the second half an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, in San Francisco.| Kavin Mistry, AP
In a lot of ways, Niang was pretty close to the same player he was in Utah with both Philadelphia and Cleveland, albeit with more minutes and games played.
His per-40 minute numbers with the 76ers in particular, according to ESPN, were nearly identical to what he did with the Jazz.
It is noteworthy that he remained a 40% or better shooter from 3-point range, while increasing the volume of 3s taken. And with the 76ers, Niang started to show more of the playmaking ability that he was known for in college at Iowa State, improving from under one assist per game with the Jazz to nearly two assists per game with the 76ers.
Niang did appear to improve overall while with the Cavaliers, particularly his first season there, when he posted the second-best net rating of his career. Somewhat ironically, though, that year he shot the worst he had from 3-point range since his second year in the NBA.
While with the Cavs, Niang proved a better rebounder than he’d ever been, averaging nearly 3.5 per game. He earned the nickname of “G-Wagon” from Cavs’ All-Star guard Darius Garland for his play — he became a key reserve for the Cavs, playing better than 20 minutes per game. That nickname replaced the moniker of “Minivan” that Niang had earned with the Jazz.
If Niang really became a different player than he was before it was with the Hawks, though. He only spent 28 games with Atlanta, but his reunion with former Jazz head coach Quin Snyder was a real positive for Niang.
He averaged a career-high in points per game in Atlanta — 12.1 ppg — and had the third-best net rating of his career while playing for a team that was in the Eastern Conference play-in, meaning his net rating wasn’t inflated by playing alongside All-NBA players for the first time in his career.
While with the Hawks, Niang also proved to be a better defender, or at least a more aggressive one, than at any time previously during his career.
Who are the Utah Jazz getting in Georges Niang?
Atlanta Hawks forward Georges Niang, right, looks for a shot against Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Orlando, Fla.| John Raoux, AP
In many ways, Niang is still the same 3-and-somewhat D wing player he was while with the Jazz before, although with a more proven ability as tertiary playmaker and rebounder now.
The expectation should be that Niang shoots 40% or better from 3-point range, providing a good outlet for the Jazz’s collection of young guards. He will be in the right place at the right time, the kind of safety value that will be value for Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier.
At 32 years old, he should also be expected to be a mentor for the Jazz’s young wings, including Taylor Hendricks, Cody Williams and Ace Bailey. Obviously the Jazz hope all three of those young players reach greater heights than Niang has in his career, but none have had the benefit of playing alongside a serviceable NBA wing thus far in their careers. Niang should provide that.
Niang shouldn’t win the Jazz many games next season. That isn’t what he brings to the table as a player. But he does seem to be a little bit better than he was previously with the Jazz, akin to a “Souped up” minivan.
Utah Jazz forward Georges Niang (31) runs up court in the first half during an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings Saturday, April 10, 2021, in Salt Lake City.| AP