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Los Angeles Lakers: 2 young free agents to take a chance on and develop

By Jason Reed

PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 25: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson #2 and Harry Giles III #4 of the Portland Trail Blazers laugh during warm ups before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Moda Center on April 25, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 25: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson #2 and Harry Giles III #4 of the Portland Trail Blazers laugh during warm ups before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Moda Center on April 25, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Harry Giles

Harry Giles was nothing but potential when he came into the NBA. He did not have the solid college stats that Leaf had, he put up relatively quiet numbers with Duke and was drafted 20th overall because of his potential as a big in the NBA.

Giles has been highly touted at every step of the way. While he likely would have gone higher in the draft if he stayed another year or two, he was one of the top recruits in the entire country before landing at Duke. He was a five-star commit and was the no. 1 ranked power forward by ESPN.

He was graded higher than his teammate, Jayson Tatum, and ranked no. 1 over current NBA all-star, Bam Adebayo, and ironically enough, T.J. Leaf.

Standing at six-foot-eleven, Giles can play both the four and the five but with the way the NBA is developing he could turn into a full-time five that can stretch the floor. His shot has not been tested very much in the pros thus far, but the potential is there and he did shoot just under 35% in his limited attempts last season.

Giles is extremely long and he has all the physical tools that you look for in the position, he just has not been given a big enough chance to hone his craft and really prove his worth. He got hurt and missed his entire rookie season, averaged around 15 minutes per game for two seasons on a bad Kings team and averaged under 10 minutes in 38 games with Portland last season.

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With his size, frame and natural skillset, the right team really could get a fair amount out of Giles, especially if he learns from someone like Anthony Davis. He will never be AD but he can be a solid rotation player.

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