Georges Niang is in the midst of his first season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he is ready to play hard for his team.
But Niang won’t deny that he thought he was going to stick around with the Philadelphia 76ers a lot longer.
Speaking on the Run Your Race Podcast, Niang said that he felt he had a really good thing going with the 76ers and loved working for Daryl Morey and Doc Rivers and playing alongside stars such as Joel Embiid and James Harden.
Georges Niang speaks highly of his time in Philly while on the Run Your Race Podcast with @tpinsonn by @TidalLeague
Niang says he thought he was going to be coming back this season but happy he caught a bag with Cleveland https://t.co/Q88kIzCLTG pic.twitter.com/GlLzEWmzjc
— Sean Barnard (@Sean_Barnard1) November 14, 2023
Niang said that he went into free agency with certainty that he would be suiting up again for the Sixers.
But because of the “coaching carousel” and other behind-the-scenes choices, Niang was not welcomed back to the 76ers and subsequently made his way over to the Cavaliers.
The acquisition of Niang during the offseason was seen as a smart pick-up for the Cavaliers.
At six-foot-seven and 230 pounds, Niang is a big man who can do a whole lot from all over the floor.
He was viewed as a way to bolster Cleveland’s frontcourt and take some of the pressure off of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
So far this year, he is putting up 6.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1 assist per game.
Niang has started in just one game and is only playing for an average of 22 minutes right now, which has led to some fans saying that head coach J.B. Bickerstaff needs to use him more.
He might, as the season is relatively young and Bickerstaff is still figuring out which lineups work best.
No matter his role, Niang will be eager to perform.
Niang didn’t envision himself playing in Cleveland, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t happy to be there.
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