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Los Angeles Lakers get high mark in complete 2017 NBA Draft first round grades

By Kenneth Teape

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA prospects pose for a group photo before the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA prospects pose for a group photo before the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Lakers
Dec 21, 2016; Greensboro, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) stands on the court in the second half against the Elon Phoenix at Greensboro Coliseum. Duke defeated Elon 72-61. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

B+. . Center. Sacramento Kings. HARRY GILES

The Kings made a pretty big trade with the Portland Trail Blazers. The Kings passed on the chance to select Zach Collins, instead, trading the No. 10 pick for No. 15 and No. 20 from the Blazers. With the 15th pick, the Kings selected North Carolina small forward, Justin Jackson. With the 20th pick, the Kings swing for the fences with Duke center, Harry Giles.

This is a relatively big sized gamble for the Kings. Collins is a top prospect in this draft. But, if Giles can come near the level that he showed in college, the Kings will come away winners in this trade.

Based on sheer talent, Giles is a top player in this draft. When he committed to Duke, there were people that believed he would be a top-three pick in this draft. But, knee injuries have derailed Giles. He tore the ACL, MCL, and cartilage in his left knee and the ACL in his right knee in high school. He took more than 12 months off only to have another surgery in October while at Duke.

Giles did not look good in games at Duke. There was plenty of rust, which is expected for someone that didn’t play for over a year. He didn’t look comfortable either, as the knee injury was definitely weighing on him mentally. Another injury could have knocked him out of the first round, or draft, all together.

Now with an NBA team, Giles will have a chance to get back on track. If he can accomplish that, the Kings are getting a steal. If not, the Kings remain in purgatory like they have been for a long time now. It is a worthwhile risk for a team that traded away its best player, DeMarcus Cousins, last season and is in a total rebuild.

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