Amongst everything that's happened with the Utah Jazz this season, something that's gone unnoticed is the return of Georges Niang. While it's not happening tomorrow, the Jazz have made it clear that it's coming soon. When Niang comes back, that means someone is getting put in the doghouse to make room for him, and it's pretty clear that someone is Svi Mykahiliuk.
HoopsHype's Michael Scotto confirmed today that Niang would be re-evaluated in one week, meaning he's more or less right on schedule from the last update on him.
Utah Jazz forward Georges Niang will be re-evaluated in one week after entering a return to play protocol on the court. Niang has been out with a left foot fourth metatarsal stress reaction. pic.twitter.com/KVw1DhN54u
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) November 14, 2025
Utah brought Niang back not just for sentimental purposes. All indications are that they orchestrated a reunion because the plan is to play him, one of the most dependable, dead-eye three-point shooters in the league. Sadly, his integration will likely mean Mykhailiuk's role on the team will be significantly reduced.
Niang does what Mykhailiuk does more or less, only better
It'd be unfair to insinuate that Mykhailuk has been bad this season. For what the Jazz have asked of him, he hasn't been consistent, but he's been far from invisible. Averaging the most minutes he's ever had in his career 12 games into the season (27 a game), Myhailiuk has been reasonably productive for someone like him, averaging 9.4 points while shooting 45.7% from the field and 35.8% from three.
Some games, Svi got hot, and others, he was a black hole. His job has been to space the floor, and the bottom line is that he could sometimes do that. Imagine what the Jazz could look like with Niang in that spot instead of Mykhailiuk.
Niang is basically the better version of Mykhailiuk. He's a better floor spacer and has demonstrated some scoring finesse, though it is limited. Mykhailiuk might be the more fluid athlete between the two, but there's a reason why Niang has been featured in multiple playoff teams' rotations while Mykhailiuk has bounced from team to team just to maintain an NBA roster spot.
Because Mykhailiuk is inconsistent in what he does, it's actually pretty exciting to imagine what Niang will look like in his role because of how consistent he is. Not only does he regularly knock down threes, but because he's a threat from downtown, opponents will treat that seriously, which opens the floor for the likes of Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, and Ace Bailey, all of whom are either emerging or exploding.
The Jazz haven't won too many games this season, but they have still been super fun to watch overall. Niang may not add too many more wins, but he will make Utah more competitive as their roster continues to grow internally. It's a shame it'll come at the cost of Mykhailiuk's playing time, who's been a good soldier, but it should take no time at all for Niang to show why Utah wanted him back.