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2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 25: Lakers at No. 1, Knicks at No. 2

By Chris Stone

Jan 18, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dunks against Colorado Buffaloes forward Tory Miller (14) during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Colorado Buffaloes guard Dominique Collier (15) watches the play at left. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dunks against Colorado Buffaloes forward Tory Miller (14) during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Colorado Buffaloes guard Dominique Collier (15) watches the play at left. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 10, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) dunks during the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the ACC Conference Tournament at Barclays Center. Duke Blue Devils won 93-83. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) dunks during the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the ACC Conference Tournament at Barclays Center. Duke Blue Devils won 93-83. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
Learn more about Harry Giles at The Step Back.

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25

Harry Giles

PF/C, Duke

Draft status: In with an agent

If pick No. 25 rolls around and Duke’s Harry Giles is on the board, the Orlando Magic should take the risk. Giles was once the top-rated prospect in this class and if he ever gets back to his peak form, he could be a steal. His senior year of high school was derailed by an ACL injury and a follow up knee surgery prior to the start of his freshman season delayed his debut at Duke. He was never quite the same this season, but there were some promising signs.

For starters, Giles was solid based on defensive box score metrics. He averaged 2.3 blocks and 1.2 steals per 40 minutes as a freshman. There were problems, too. He struggled to comprehend pick-and-roll defense and often missed rotations, but after over a year of not playing competitive basketball and missing out on significant practice time, it’s easier to excuse some of that. If Giles gets his athleticism back and picks up on the nuances, he could be a defensive monster.

Offensively, Giles is still figuring out his roll. Duke never really dumped the ball inside to him as the Blue Devils preferred a four guard offense that focused more on ball screen actions. Giles should be a good dive man, though, and could develop into more over time.

Learn more about Harry Giles at The Step Back.