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2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 23: The NBA Playoffs are upon us

By Chris Stone

Feb 9, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 7, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) dunks the ball against Boston College Eagles during the first half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) dunks the ball against Boston College Eagles during the first half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
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Harry Giles

PF/C, Duke

Draft status: In with an agent

This is the first of two first round selections for the Utah Jazz and its best purpose might be to try to help the franchise find a big man who can provide some relief when center Rudy Gobert heads to the bench. Without the Frenchman on the floor, Utah’s defensive rating climbed by nearly seven points this season.

Duke’s Harry Giles certainly didn’t look like the player who was previously ranked as the top prospect in the 2017 draft class this season, but he does have the potential to be the kind of defensive stopper that the Jazz could use in their rotation behind Gobert. As a freshman, he averaged 2.3 blocks and 1.2 steals per 40 minutes despite being limited by his recovery from two knee surgeries. If Giles can make a full recovery in time, he has the potential to be a defensive anchor who can protect the rim and move well along the perimeter. That would help clean up one of Utah’s biggest holes.

Giles is still developing offensively as he never really found a role in Duke’s offense when he was on the floor this season. He can run some pick-and-roll and is an improving jump shooter, but the time he spent off the court seems to have stunted his growth here.