Georges Niang posting career-highs across board with Hawks

Let me start by saying this — the Cavaliers would trade Georges Niang and Caris LeVert to the Hawks for De’Andre Hunter every day of the week and twice on Sunday. And that’s nothing against Niang or LeVert, who the Cavs loved.

It’s just that Hunter has been that good. The Cavs (54-10) have won 14 straight entering Tuesday’s home game against the Nets and are 12-0 since Hunter joined the team. He has proven to be the ultimate 3-and-D weapon in reserve.

But let’s not forget about our old friends. People always ask, “Who’s your favorite player?” I always joke, “Anyone who’s played for this year’s Cavs team is tied for first.”

I’m only partially joking. And Niang and LeVert are among them. So I consistently check them in on them. 

The Hawks (31-34) are in seventh in the Eastern Conference and are really just fighting for the highest play-in spot. They’re five games behind the sixth-place Pistons and Pacers.

But Niang is proving to be a top-notch contributor for Atlanta coach Quin Snyder, just as he was for Kenny Atkinson in Cleveland. Atkinson always referred to Niang as a “connector,” and that’s truly what he’s done with the Hawks. It’s actually his second stint under Snyder, as the two were together with the Jazz.

Niang has also put together a career-best stretch since arriving in Atlanta. Through 12 games, he’s averaged 14.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists. He’s hitting 40.2 percent of his threes, which is about what he did with the Cavs (40.0 percent).

For the record, any current player who retweets or quote-tweets me will always have a special place in my heart. Niang is on the list, joining Hawks teammates Larry Nance Jr. and Terance Mann, and Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball. (You’re the real MVPs.)

So, good for Niang and good for the Hawks. They got at least two good ones in Niang and LeVert.

Oh, and LeVert missed Monday’s win over the 76ers with a finger injury, but also has been very good. He averaged 10.2 points with the Cavs. With the Hawks, he’s at 16.8 points and a career-high 51 percent from the field.

The Cavs and Hawks don’t meet again this regular season, but they very could see Niang and LeVert in the playoffs.