Snyder, Niang Share Thoughts On Matt Thomas
Mar 26, 2021, 6:25 PM | Updated: 6:26 pm
Georges Niang and Matt Thomas of the Utah Jazz at Iowa State (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Though Matt Thomas likely won’t make his debut for his new team Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies, fellow members of the Utah Jazz organization shared their insights on what to expect from the sharpshooting guard.
The Jazz traded for Thomas at the trade deadline Thursday, sending a second-round pick to the Toronto Raptors by way of the Golden State Warriors for the second-year guard.
Thomas spent three of his four seasons at Iowa State with current Jazz forward Georges Niang before reuniting in Utah. Niang was happy to see Thomas traded to Utah, though the news of trade caused the forward some initial stress.
Breaking: The @UtahJazz have acquired guard Matt Thomas from the @Raptors. #takenote https://t.co/lxNe7vqDHB
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 25, 2021
During practice, Jazz Vice President of Basketball Operations walked to the hoop Niang was shooting on and stopped to watch the forward.
“Immediately in my head, I was like ‘Oh shoot, what is happening right now,” Niang asked. “Why is he at my hoop? Am I gone?”
“And then he asked me, ‘What do you think about Matt Thomas? I was like, ‘I love Matt Thomas, he’s the best.’ And then he was like, ‘Well, he’s your new teammate.'”
After shootaround Friday, Niang shared his thoughts on his old friend.
“He has Jazz DNA. He’s a great person, he can really shoot the ball and I think the way we play really fits his game.”
Georges Niang on the upcoming shooting battles between himself, Bojan, Joe Ingles, and Matt Thomas:
"He can really shoot that thing and I would love to see him go up against Joe and Bojan. Joe's 50% though. Joe's trash talking can take someone else's percentage down about 7%."
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) March 26, 2021
Before facing the Grizzlies Friday night, Jazz coach Quin Snyder revealed his expectations for the newest member of the Jazz, dating back to the guard’s days playing professionally in Spain.
“I’ve watched him play since he was back in Valencia, Obviously, Georges is familiar with him because he played with him in college,” Snyder said. “But he can shoot the ball, I think he can shoot it with range, he can shoot it coming off screens, he can shoot it off the dribble, that’s really one of the things he does best.”
It may be a while before Thomas has a chance to crack the rotation in meaningful minutes. With one of the deepest guard rotations in the NBA, and Miye Oni already familiar with the Jazz system, Thomas may have a difficult time finding playing time.
However, when he does see the court, his role will be well defined.
“He’s going to have the green light,” Snyder said. “We want him to take good shots and move the ball and do all the things we expect from our guys.”
The Jazz and Grizzlies tip-off at 7 pm MT. The game will be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet.
