Georges Niang came to the Warriors to find a role. Playing center might be part of the answer.
Golden State used the 33-year-old forward at center during a scrimmage Thursday, according to Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area. Niang missed all of last season after an injury in training camp, so simply getting back on the floor is a start. Figuring out where Steve Kerr can use him is next.
“You want playing time, you figure out where and how to be comfortable,” Niang said, “and you find ways to implement things that you can do that can help your team.”
A few more notes from Warriors camp:
- Al Horford may be needed early. Kristaps Porzingis remains sidelined indefinitely with a health issue, leaving Horford as Golden State’s only other center with substantial NBA experience. Horford, 40, could start on opening night, writes Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area. He said Porzingis wants to play but needs patience: “I just hope that he’s able to recover and be in a good place so he can roll with us.”
- Brandon Williams brings speed. Kerr called the former Mavericks guard “the fastest guy we’ve ever had here.” Williams is on a non-guaranteed contract, but Kerr likes the different options his speed creates in the pick-and-roll. That sounds like a player with a real chance to stick.
- The veterans will get a short run Sunday. Kerr plans to play Horford, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green about 12 to 15 minutes apiece in the preseason opener against the Clippers, per Nick Friedell of The Athletic. Everyone else is expected to play roughly 20 minutes.
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