Why not? What would we be risking that's not worth taking the chance on a guy with all-star potential?
#Blazers absolutely love Harry Giles, per source. They have 3 picks in round 1 - look for the big man to be off the board as high as #15. - John Shultz (twitter)
I've been pretty meh about the draft, and prospects, because I'm thinking trade, but I am really hoping we take Giles. Could blow up in our face, could be us getting someone projected as a top 5 pick out of HS falling into our laps, for everyone saying we need high lotto picks to contend.
We have an entirely different medical staff from when Oden and Roy were here, if his knees check out I would be comfortable with taking him at 20, or even 15 if they think he still has the potential to be a starting pf.
Knowing how Neil works I doubt this is true. Loose lips get terminated - just ask Kim Hughes. This is likely a smokescreen.
Fran Fraschilla just tweeted this: The lying has begun. Do not believe a word from "sources" about which NBA teams like what players. It's all misdirection at this point.
Surprised this isn't more well known. EVERY sports teams has done this at one time or another. Football teams used to steal game film. Baseball teams will send scouts on bogus scouting trips. Misdirection can save you money or can throw shade on a player you value.
Take him. He's worth the gamble for sure. Who would you rather put time into, him or Quarterman/Layman/Connaughton?
Thing is, if he turns out healthy, he will be the best possible acquisition we could make in this draft and that includes people like Isaac, Tatum and Collins who are projected to go much higher than he is. The only reason why we might get a chance to draft him is because there's a lot of question marks over his fitness. If we had one pick then it'd be difficult because in a deep draft you'd prefer the player you take to contribute mid-term. We have three picks though and we can afford to use one of them on a player who might turn out to be a complete bust because of injuries. Few teams are in position to do it and IMO out of all teams who are picking higher than us the only ones who can are Denver (because they already have many young projects to develop). It's the same with OG really. High risk because of injuries, high reward if he can get back to full fitness. He was consensus top 3 or even #1 pick last year before the injuries and we never even thought we would have got the chance to select Giles. Now we might. I'd even consider taking Giles at 20 or even 15 if needed. We can then get someone without fitness issues with the other picks.
As much as I agree with this, I have to wonder what the purpose would be. Is it just to obfuscate from our true target at 15, preventing teams above us from having leverage over us? Or are we trying to bait someone below us who's also interested in Giles to trade up to 15 to get him?
Ahh, that makes sense. "Blazers love my guy and will probably snatch him up at 15; if you want him, you better trade into the lottery to get him (and consequently have to pay him and me more than you were expecting to...)"
He'll have to show better than the 27"/32.5" vertical he did at the combine. Also, he won't play C in the NBA so he will have to show he has the ability to add some range.
I know it was just HS highlights, but the video in the OP does show he has some handles. (And range) so I don't think it will be an issue compared to some other "centers" in the draft.
