Utah Jazz: Georges Niang is proving to be one of the NBA’s best two-way additions
By Josh Padmore
Let’s not forget where Georges Niang started with the Utah Jazz: on a two-way contract, primarily playing in the NBA G-League. Now, he’s flourishing as a rotational player for the Jazz.
Two-Way contracts were a major addition to the NBA last season. It gave NBA hopefuls a chance to latch onto a roster spot in the Association, while primarily developing in the G-League. It also gave those hopefuls a chance to earn more money than they could by simply being on G-League contracts. Utah Jazz forward Georges Niang is a player that’s benefited from the two-way contract implication.
He signed a two-way deal with the Jazz last season, dominated with the Salt Lake City Stars and played in nine regular season games for the Jazz.
Niang then played well enough during the 2018 Summer League to earn a roster spot on the Jazz. Now, instead of primarily playing in G-League games, Niang is playing solid minutes in the big league. Instead of being paid $75,000 as a two-way player, Niang is being paid $1.5 million for his contributions this season.
That’s a success story in itself, especially for a guy that many people said wouldn’t translate to the NBA due to his lack of athletic ability. When you look at what he’s done this season, the success shines even brighter. Niang has played in 55 games for the Jazz this season, and is shooting over 41 percent from downtown.
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Niang is definitely one of the better players to have signed a two-way contract so far. Maybe not the best, but he’s right up there. Monte Morris, former college teammate of Niang and current backup point guard for the Denver Nuggets, is easily having the biggest success for a former two-way player. Daniel House of the Houston Rockets has also put together a very good year for a very good team. Allonzo Trier has looked good, but is playing for the crummy New York Knicks.
Nonetheless, the introduction to two-way contracts have got to have made the Jazz and their fans happy. They’ll be searching for their next great two-way find over the summer.