Former Kings draft bust could get another chance in Sacramento
By Logan Struck
The Sacramento Kings seem to be done with a busy off-season, but there are still three open roster spots (two standards, one two-way). The Kings have spent the off-season making slight upgrades to last year’s roster, which led them to a 48-win season.
Since the Sacramento Kings could go out on the court with a 13-man rotation right now, they have the opportunity to take a chance on a player with high potential. This roster filler could potentially be a former King.
Harry Giles III could have a Sacramento homecoming
In Las Vegas on Monday, Harry Giles III held a private workout for NBA teams. The Sacramento Kings selected Giles 20th overall in 2017, with a pick acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers.
Giles missed his whole rookie year due to injury, then averaged 7.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game on 50% shooting in his second year. He had similar stats in his third season but was more efficient, shooting 55%.
Harry Giles III was one of the most highly-anticipated high school recruits in the country but suffered multiple ACL tears before attending Duke University. After these heartbreaking injuries for the talented recruit, his health was always a question.
Unfortunately, Giles struggled to stay healthy his whole career, averaging 47.3 games played in his three-year NBA career. Harry Giles III last touched an NBA court on October 11th, 2021, in a preseason game for the Los Angeles Clippers.
While it is risky taking a chance on a player who has not played in two years, Harry Giles III is proving all doubters wrong, and we would not want to be on the wrong end of a revenge tour.
Chris Haynes tweeted a video of Giles’ workout in Vegas:
Footage of Harry Giles III private workout in Las Vegas in front of a dozen or so NBA scouts and executives. pic.twitter.com/EQczURh8eZ
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 11, 2023
Why should the Sacramento Kings take a chance on Harry Giles III?
The Sacramento Kings depth chart is practically complete, so why fill give an open roster spot to a former Kings draft bust? The 25-year-old was miles away from his potential and could sign on a veteran minimum to build up Sacramento’s center depth.
While the re-signing of Alex Len shows Sacramento is content with the backup center position, the hesitation to give Neemias Queta a contract also shows they could be looking at other options.
Harry Giles III is an impressive playmaker for his 6’11” frame and has been working on an NBA-caliber jump shot, as seen in the workout video.
A recent cryptic tweet from him suggests there could be mutual interest between Giles and the Kings:
https://twitter.com/HGiiizzle/status/1678699605033390080?s=20
While injuries have held him back in the past, a healthy Giles could be a rotational NBA player with the potential to be much more. The former number-one high school basketball prospect in the country was once being compared to LeBron James and could make his return to the NBA with the right opportunity.
