The Golden State Warriors are signing forward Georges Niang to a one-year, $3.9 million contract, league sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Tuesday, completing the team's 15-man roster entering next season.
Earlier in the day, the Warriors agreed to a one-year minimum contract with reserve guard Brandon Williams. These are the first two external free agent signings of the summer for the otherwise stable Warriors.
Niang, 33, missed all of last season after fracturing his left foot in September. Prior to that, he had been a durable presence on the court, making 39.9% of his career 3-pointers on high volume while appearing in 72, 76, 78, 82 and 79 games over the previous five seasons.
A veteran shooter joins the frontcourt rotation
Niang is expected to step into a reserve frontcourt role behind veterans Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford, as well as rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. He brings career averages of 7.4 points, 2.2 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game, and at 6-foot-6, he can guard both forward spots.
His agency, Priority Sports, confirmed the signing in social media posts, as noted by The Mercury News. The report of the contract agreement came via ESPN and was confirmed by his agents, according to ESPN.
In the Warriors' current lineup, Niang is projected to slot in behind Draymond Green at power forward. Sports Illustrated presents a depth chart that lists Niang behind Green, with small forward options listed as Yaxel Lendeborg, Gui Santos, Jimmy Butler (injured), and Moses Moody (injured). Both Lendeborg and Santos are considered more natural power forwards, but with Butler and Moody sidelined, they are expected to spend most of their time at the 3, freeing up minutes for Niang.
Niang's shooting ability is his most prominent attribute. He is a career 39.9% three-pointer shooter, a skill that will be valuable off the bench as a stretch-4.
A reunion with the Warriors
Niang has a prior connection to the organization. He played for the Warriors' G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, after joining the big club in training camp in 2020.
Selected in the second round of the 2016 draft by Indiana, he later appeared for Utah, Philadelphia, and Cleveland, and most recently for Atlanta before last season. He spent time with the Jazz last season but did not play because of the foot injury. After being traded by Utah to the Memphis Grizzlies at the trade deadline, he was waived and did not sign with another team.
The Warriors' regular season opens Oct. 21 in Los Angeles against the Lakers.
What's next for Curry?
Looking ahead, the next Curry could also be addressed. Stephen Curry becomes extension-eligible on Saturday, with reports indicating mutual interest between the sides in keeping him with the Warriors for the remainder of his career.