2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 12: The Lakers keep their pick
By Chris Stone
Harry Giles
PF/C, Duke
When healthy, Giles has been an athletic monster with excellent lateral mobility, the ability to play vertically and fluid movement. He has the potential to be a defensive anchor who uses his 7-foot-3 wingspan to protect the rim and his athleticism to help contain dribble penetration when switched onto perimeter players. Offensively, Giles was able to use his explosiveness in pick-and-rolls, facing up to the basket or attacking the offensive glass.
The obvious question with any player recovering from an injury is whether or not he will return to his old self. With Giles, the answer has been mixed. There have been moments where the 18-year old has flashed some of the traits that made him the top-rated high school prospect, but there have been far more that have left us wondering whether or not he’ll truly ever be that player on a consistent basis again. The unknown is whether or not that is rust wearing itself off and it’s just a matter of building strength back or if this is the new normal. That’s the risk teams will face with Giles come June.