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2017 NBA Mock Draft: What if the Lakers don’t take Lonzo Ball?

By Chris Stone

Jan 25, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils won 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils won 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Giles
Dec 19, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) fights for position against Tennessee State Tigers forward Ken’Darrius Hamilton (4) in the first half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. This is the first time that Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) has played in a game this season. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
Learn more about Harry Giles at The Step Back.

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Harry Giles

C, Duke

The Los Angeles Lakers are badly in need of talent and that could mean using their late first rounder to take a swing on a high upside prospect with plenty of downside risk. Duke’s Harry Giles, the former No. 1 prospect in the class, is the perfect option here. Giles has seen his ranking flounder as a result of an uninspired season in Durham after returning from an ACL injury and preseason knee surgery. However, there’s still plenty of untapped potential there should he fully recover from his knee issues in time.

The most obvious benefit of having Giles on the floor, assuming he’s healthy, will be his defense. At 6-foot-11, he has the size to protect the rim and he was previously a monster on the perimeter, bottling up guards on switches. Giles struggled to do the latter this season as he didn’t look comfortable moving on his repaired knee, but the upside is there. Also, for all of Giles’ struggles statistically, he produced well on the defensive end, averaging 2.3 blocks and 1.2 steals per 40 minutes.

Giles will still need to find his place on the offensive end. He flashed some skills as a pick-and-roll big man this season and can crash the offensive boards, but with post ups going out of style, it’s less clear how he’ll get buckets at the NBA level.
Learn more about Harry Giles at The Step Back.