27. Brooklyn Nets: Harry Giles, Duke Blue Devils
Ultimate Upside Comparison: Chris Webber
Safe Upside Comparison: Theo Ratliff
Position: Center
Age: 19 (4/22/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10.5″, 232 pounds, 7’3.25″
2016-17 Slash Line: .577/.000/.500
2016-17 Season Averages: 11.5 MPG, 3.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.6 ORPG, 0.7 BPG
The seemingly rational option for the Brooklyn Nets at No. 27 overall is to swing for the fences. The Nets could conceivably create a solid foundation through the 2017 NBA Draft, but this is a team that’s been without a lottery pick for far too long.
With another year without a draft pick looming, the Nets make a commitment to the future by drafting a center with superstar potential: Harry Giles.
There’s an extreme measure of risk here due to Giles’ medical history, but he’s a special talent. It’s only fitting that his best upside comparison is an unforgettable big man who shares Giles’ history of knee injuries: Chris Webber.
Giles has the potential to be an elite player on the offensive end of the floor, and if Brooklyn takes precaution with him, it can make Giles into the modern C-Webb.
A more realistic outlook is that Giles’ knee injuries have taken their toll and he’d be better utilized as a defensive specialist. If that proves to be the case, then he’ll likely fall somewhere in between Theo Ratliff and Tristan Thompson in his combination of shot-blocking and rebounding.
Giles is the toughest prospect to project in this draft class, but he has the potential to block shots, crash the boards, and score with elite consistency.
The question is: which of those skills will come together?