The Golden State Warriors still need to fill out their roster after missing out on a bunch of their targets this offseason. To that effect, they have just come to terms with free agent forward Georges Niang on a one-year deal, but this move is actually one that should baffle their fanbase. Simply put, the veteran makes zero sense for the team at this juncture.
Niang heads to a Golden State team that is slowly losing ground in the brutal Western Conference race. As such, this addition is only going to be more confounding. The Warriors need an infusion of youth and athleticism on their aging roster, but instead, they signed the one free agent who does not have any of those at his disposal.
Warriors’ signing of Georges Niang a directionless move
Niang is already 33 years old, and worse, he is coming off a forced one-year sabbatical due to injuries. He did not log a single minute this past season, which is a huge red flag that should have thwarted the Warriors from even having him on their radar, much less sign him to a new contract.
Sure, the veteran forward’s 39.9 percent shooting clip from beyond the arc for his career is especially appealing for this team. However, he offers almost nothing elsewhere. That is precisely what makes his foray in San Francisco very questionable as he is a one-trick pony at this point in his career.
Jimmy Butler is going to be sidelined for most of the regular season as he heals from an ACL tear, but Niang is not the answer they are looking for to shore up their depth at forward in the meantime. Steve Kerr will love his shooting, no doubt, but the fact that he is so limited on defense will be apparent right from the get go.
Golden State is desperate to prove that it can keep up with the other rising forces out West, but them adding Georges Niang looks like a directionless move in all honesty. They went wayward from what their roster requires at this point, and all they can do now is hope that their aging core, which got even older, does not betray them.