Lake Show Life
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: 3 young free agents LA could sign next

By Jason Reed

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Garrison Mathews #24 of the Washington Wizards warms up prior to the game against the Indiana Pacers at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Garrison Mathews #24 of the Washington Wizards warms up prior to the game against the Indiana Pacers at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 Will Newton/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Harry Giles

Harry Giles had high expectations when he entered college. He entered college as one of the best high school recruits in the nation and was actually the second-ranked recruit on the RCSI rankings. He was ahead of the likes of Lonzo Ball, Jayson Tatum and every great player to come from the 2017 NBA Draft.

It just has not panned out for Giles. He dealt with a knee injury in his lone year of college that tanked his draft stock, leading him to get picked 20th overall by Portland, who flipped him to Sacramento.

As we all know, the Kings are not necessarily the best team to go to for a young talent to develop and blossom and Giles never did. Not only that, but he had to deal with bad injury luck as well. He missed his entire rookie season, averaging 14 minutes per game in his second and third year in the league.

After just two years of actually playing the Kings decided they had enough with Giles, letting him walk and sign with the Portland Trail Blazers. He played in 38 games last season, averaging 9.2 minutes per game.

The potential is there with Giles. He started working on his jump shot as a pro and his physical traits are extremely impressive. He definitely is athletic and stands in at six-eleven with a seven-three wingspan.

He has a lot of potential to be a rim-running big that is athletic, can space the floor a bit and can provide rim protection. He is a solid rebounder despite his thin frame as well.

Is Giles going to come to LA and suddenly become who people thought he would be? No. But if there is any team in the league that can make the most out of Giles and develop him properly it is the Los Angeles Lakers.

Next. 50 greatest Lakers of all-time. dark

He is only 23 years old. There are rookies this year (Chris Duarte) who are older. I know there is a stigma around Giles because he has disappointed but just pretend like this signing was a draft pick.

Home/Lakers Free Agency