Pippen Ain’t Easy’s 2017 NBA Draft: Mocking the first round for every team
147. . C. Duke. Harry Giles. 27. player
“Wait, why would the Nets draft another center?”
Hold on, let me explain. Isaiah Hartenstein might not be a pick that plays this season in the United States. That still leaves the potential issue of a center behind Lopez. Brooklyn has shown to take in projects or risks. All you’d have to look at is Caris LeVert’s story and see that. If Harry Giles hadn’t already had multiple torn ACLs, he’d arguably be the top pick in this draft to some. Hell, even during his knee issues in high school, Giles was still the top prospect in the class to many. Consider this another hunch and the Nets look to mold Giles into a good front court piece to integrate with their youth. If the Nets went this route and when Hartenstein is ready, then the talks of how they’ll fit can be addressed. Giles is still promising, despite not be near as good as he was coming up during his days before Duke.
RELATED: Sporting News’ Sam Vecenie on Harry Giles being an NBA prospect with a different type of baggage
20. . PF/C. California. Ivan Rabb. 28. player
Poor Ivan Rabb. A guy that probably could’ve been a late lottery pick last year has fallen all the way down to almost out of the first round in most projections for this year’s draft. There are those that say, “He made the right move going back to school.” The problem is, sometimes … that’s not good for your draft stock, pending on the class you re-enter. This wasn’t a good class to re-enter for Rabb. But, this could be a start that pays off for him with the Lakers taking him at No. 28. Rabb gets to stay close to home and it helps the Lakers address their front court depth, or lack thereof. Rabb’s a center that can probably play at the 4. He’s got a nice touch offensively and plays with a bit more finesse than the strong tank known as Julius Randle plays with for the purple and gold.