Former number one prospect wants a return to the Sacramento Kings
After a risk-averse off-season that saw the Sacramento Kings make stable moves by running it back, there are still two open roster spots. One spot is very likely to be offered to Summer League standout and Sacramento native Jordan Ford. However, with one more spot open, there is a former King who should get a chance.
Harry Giles III was drafted by the Kings in the 2017 NBA draft after being ESPN’s number-one-ranked prospect in the country coming into college. After many devastating knee injuries held him back and eventually saw him exit the league, Giles hosted a private workout in Las Vegas last Monday.
Giles, now 25, missed the entirety of his rookie year due to injury and then played 58 games the following season, averaging 7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. He showed flashes of his limitless potential but still struggled massively with injuries that had started back in high school.
Giles was hurt after leaving Sacramento
When talking about his departure from the Kings in an interview with FOX40, Giles said the following:
"“It hurt. It still hurts me to this day. You know how I feel about the city, and that’s somewhere I saw myself playing for a long time. I saw what last season ended up being … I wanted to be there when we first made the playoffs in a long time.”"
After he was injured so often, the Kings never offered a contract extension to Giles, and he was out of Sacramento after just two seasons. You can’t really blame the Kings because it didn’t make much sense for them, but you still have to feel bad for Giles after you can see how dedicated he was.
Kings fans want Giles back in Sacramento
"“That’s another thing that keeps me going, those Sacramento fans man. Just seeing them tweet me… “Harry coming home!” or they’ll tweet Monte and be like “Yo bring him back!” That’s big man …. Anytime I make a tweet about Sacramento they go crazy like I’m still playing there… I got purple hearts.”"
There seems to be a large social media consensus that fans want to see Giles for round two in Sacramento, and Giles feels the same way. He loves the city and the fans, and with lots of the roster already set, is there any reason the Kings shouldn’t bring him back?
The Sacramento Kings should bring Giles back for round two
"“If I gotta go two-way… that’s just what I gotta do. Two-ways get converted all the time.”"
The Kings have two roster spots left after signing Nerlens Noel Tuesday. One roster spot is very likely to go to Jordan Ford, and before signing Noel, one likely would have gone to Neemias Queta. However, with Queta potentially gone, Giles could give more size with his 6-foot-11 frame and be a great option to back up Keegan Murray at the four.
For a guy that’s all for Sacramento and Sacramento all for him, this is easily a low-risk high-reward option for the Kings.
