3 ways Georges Niang immediately helps the Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers Minivan arrives! Time to run 2k simulations, speculate on his fit, and overreact in joy.

After inking a new deal with sixth man guard Caris LeVert, the Cavaliers swiftly brought in career 40.3 percent three-point shooter and former teammate of Donovan Mitchell in Utah, Georges Niang.

Niang has earned his spot as a constant fan favorite wherever he plays for his unique playstyle and nickname “The Minivan”. He’s not a speedy, athletic forward, but his deadeye shooting and physical toughness attracts fanbases to his presence.

Niang will come to the Cavs on a three-year deal worth $26 million, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. His contract leaves roughly $4 million left on the Cavaliers’ full Mid-Level Exception while still maintaining their $4.5 million Bi-Annual Exception. Bringing in a proven shooter on a team-friendly deal gives the Cavs room to maneuver for larger deals either later in free agency or in the coming season.

In his 2022-2023 campaign with the Philadelphia 76ers, Niang averaged 8.2 points per game in 19.4 minutes every night. His long range shooting placed him in the 80th percentile of forward shooters and 98th percentile of forwards from the corner three spot, per Cleaning the Glass (subscription required).

Niang spent four years alongside Donovan Mitchell on the Utah Jazz. Other than one season lost to injury in Utah, Niang never shot below 40 percent behind the arc. He was one of many players in Utah that helped shape Mitchell’s ability to dish out to sharpshooters on a drive. Bringing him to Cleveland is the first of many moves the Cavaliers can make to fill out their shooting and overall depth.

The addition of the Minivan improves the Cavs’ bench rotation and overall shooting. As a veteran with playoff experience, how will Niang affect Cleveland right away?

A lot, and here’s three key ways the stretch forward will help the Cavs, especially.

We’ll begin with his knockdown style.