Niang Facing Two-to-Three-Week Check-Up; Moody Out for Remainder of Preseason; Thunder Shuffle Roster
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Utah Jazz
Forward Georges Niang will be re-evaluated in approximately two to three weeks as he recovers from a stress reaction in his left foot, the Jazz announced. The 31-year-old was injured during offseason workouts and, while his progress is encouraging, the team has not established a return date. Utah brought Niang back in a summer trade with Boston that helped the Celtics create salary-cap space.
Niang split the 2023-24 campaign between Atlanta and Cleveland, averaging 9.9 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting just under 40 percent from three-point range. He spent four previous seasons with Utah, appearing in 23 playoff games and earning a reputation as a dependable floor spacer and valued locker-room presence.
Golden State Warriors
Wing Moses Moody will sit out the Warriors’ final three preseason contests because of a left calf issue, ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported. Head coach Steve Kerr said he is not overly worried and expects the 22-year-old to be available for opening night. Moody has impressed in two preseason starts, averaging 14.5 points and hitting 7-of-12 attempts from beyond the arc.
If Moody’s recovery takes longer than anticipated, Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield are candidates for additional minutes on the perimeter.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder signed 6-foot-11 forward-center Viktor Lakhin and waived guard Jazian Gortman. Lakhin, who played at Cincinnati before transferring to Clemson, averaged 11.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks last season while shooting 51 percent from the field. Once viewed as a potential second-round pick, he went undrafted after sustaining a foot injury in May. He is expected to join Oklahoma City on an Exhibit 10 contract, allowing the club to shuttle him between training camp and its G League affiliate, the OKC Blue.
Gortman, 22, was also on an Exhibit 10 deal. He appeared in four preseason games, averaging nearly 10 points per night, and could return to the Blue. With Sunday’s moves, Oklahoma City remains at the 21-player offseason limit heading into the final week of camp.
Source: Hoops Wire
