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Four First Round Draft prospects the Thunder should avoid

By Austin Sternlicht

Mar 11, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) reacts after a dunk against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of the ACC Conference Tournament final at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) reacts after a dunk against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of the ACC Conference Tournament final at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 19, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) drives the ball 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. Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

Harry Giles

It’s crazy to think that with a loaded freshman class, Giles was the top ranked recruit out of high school in the ESPN 100 class of 2016 rankings. However, Giles young basketball career has been defined by his knee injuries. He missed his entire sophomore season of high school after tearing his left ACL, MCL, and meniscus. His senior year, he tore his right ACL during his first game and missed the remainder of the season. Before his freshman season at Duke, he had an arthoscopic surgery on his left knee, missing the first 11 games of the season.

During his only year at Durham, Giles left a lot to be desired. The 6’11 big man played no more than 24 minutes in a game, and played ten minutes or less 11 times. He averaged just three points and three rebounds per game in only 11.5 minutes of action.

Giles is projected to be a first round pick, mainly based on his potential coming out of high school. It wouldn’t be surprising at all if Giles ends up being one of the best players in this draft. All that considered, Giles is simply too risky of a pick for where the Thunder are right now.

First of all, the Thunder do not need another big man. Assuming the team is unable to trade Enes Kanter the front court will be loaded. The last time the Thunder swung for the fences on a late first round pick they selected Perry Jones 28th overall in 2012. This would be a similar pick in that both prospects were highly touted coming out of high school, but underachieved in college.

In terms of his skills, Giles is incredibly raw and lacks a good feel for the game. The Thunder simply don’t have the time or room to let someone like him take away minutes of guys like Steven Adams and Domantas Sabonis.

The bottom line is that the Thunder are not in a place right now where they can draft Giles. His injury history is too risky. Even if he stays healthy, he will need at least a year of development, something the Thunder can’t afford to do. If the Thunder were to take a big man, prospects like Ike Jarrett Allen, Justin Patton, and Edrice “Bam” Adebayo would be more ideal.

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