Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Full 2017 NBA Mock Draft With Upside Comparisons

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 21, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives to the basket as Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard Brandon Childress (0) defends during the second half at PNC Arena. The Demon Deacons won 93-88. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives to the basket as Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard Brandon Childress (0) defends during the second half at PNC Arena. The Demon Deacons won 93-88. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
28 of 31
Next
Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) shoots the ball against Troy Trojans forward Alex Hicks (30) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) shoots the ball against Troy Trojans forward Alex Hicks (30) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

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?

Home/Knicks Draft