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Jazz Newcomer Georges Niang Could Slide Right Into Starting Role

Originally posted on Hoops Wire | By Sam Amico | Last updated Aug 5, 2025 5:58 PM ET

Georges Niang is being traded to the Utah Jazz and he may cruise his way into the starting lineup the minute he arrives. That’s good NBA work if you can get it.

At least, that’s the projection of ESPN’s Bobby Marks, who has Niang starting in the frontcourt alongside Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler, with Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George in the backcourt.

Off the bench, Marks has first-round pick Ace Bailey, Cody Williams, rookie Walter Clayton Jr., summer star Kyle Filipowski, Brice Sensabaugh, Jusuf Nurkic and others.

That list also includes Kevin Love — for now. But by all accounts, Love and the Jazz will work on a contract buyout. We shall see.

Utah updated roster pic.twitter.com/hG0v42DvTf

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) August 5, 2025

Either way, this will be Niang’s second run in Utah, having played there from 2017-21. He’s already been traded three times since February. First from the Cleveland Cavaliers to Atlanta Hawks, then to Hawks to the Boston Celtics, and now from the Celtics to the Jazz.

Sometimes, life really does come full circle, especially when you’re an NBA journeyman. But Niang is coming off a career 28-game stretch with the Hawks, averaging 12.1 points during that brief stint.

He appeared in 79 games overall last season, averaging 9.9 points and 3.4 rebounds.

Boston liked Niang, sources said, but he became just the latest victim in their offseason of shedding some major salary. The Jazz, it seems, are even more excited to get him back.