Nader & Niang ink deals with Suns & Sixers

Jan 27, 2020; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Georges Niang (31) drives past Houston Rockets forward Danuel House Jr. (4) during the third quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

While Talen Horton-Tucker resigning with the Lakers was the biggest and most notable deal signed by a former Cyclone during NBA free agency on Tuesday, he was not the only one to sign the dotted line.

Abdel Nader re-upped with the defending Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns on a two-year deal worth $4.2 million, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, while Georges Niang inked a two-year, $6.7 million agreement with the Philadelphia 76ers, as first reported by NBA insider Marc Stein.

Nader, who played for Iowa State from 2014-16, averaged 6.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 24 appearances this past season for Phoenix while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from 3-point range. He figures to remain in a bench role as the Suns will look to build on their run to the NBA Finals last month behind stars Devin Booker, DeAndre Ayton and Chris Paul.

Niang, who finished his college career in 2016 as Iowa State’s second all-time leading scorer, emerged as one of the league’s best 3-point snipers last season, shooting 42.5 percent from deep while averaging 6.9 points and 2.4 rebounds during 72 appearances for the Utah Jazz. The Methuen, Mass. native is expected to be the Sixers’ backup power forward and a high-level shooting option off the bench, which the team was in desperate need of.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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