Georges Niang may go down as Daryl Morey’s best free agent signing, at least during his current tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers. He has been the stretch power forward that the Sixers have wanted for the entirety of Joel Embiid’s career. Niang, over the past two seasons with Philadelphia, has canned 40.8% of his threes while being one of the most consistent roleplayers on the Sixers.
The second-year Sixers role player and seven-year veteran signed a two-year, $6.7 million deal back in August of 2021 and has shown that he was well worth the money. Since joining Philadelphia, Niang has shot 44.1% from the field and 40.8% from beyond the arc. He carries career averages with the team of 9.2 points per game, 2.6 rebounds per game, and 5.3 threes attempted per game. The Minivan has appeared in 119 games for Philly, carrying a 75-43 career record while playing 21.7 minutes per game. That is not too shabby for a guy whose previous career high was 16.0 minutes per game.
Currently, Georges Niang’s averages, while not eye-popping, have been efficient and vital to the Sixers’ success. Niang is averaging 9.2 points per game on 44.9% from the field and 41.6% from beyond the arc. While Niang isn’t necessarily the most versatile player that the Sixers currently employ, he is one of the most consistent contributors on the team.
Niang’s ability to know his role, play within that role, and continue to improve within that role is what makes the former Iowa State Cyclone so valuable at this level. His primary role is to be a three-point threat at the power forward position, stretching the floor for James Harden kick-outs or for Joel Embiid double teams.
Over the last two years, Niang has been nothing less than a breath of fresh air. At the end of this season, Niang will become a free agent yet again. Whether or not Niang resigns, which hopefully he does, Niang has been an incredible contributor for the Philadelphia 76ers. That being said, there is no way the Sixers should let him walk.
His veteran leadership, fire on the court, and playstyle make him a perfect roleplayer for this 76ers team. Hopefully, Niang and the Sixers will be able to come to an agreement that keeps Niang in Philadelphia for at least a few more years.
