Boston Celtics mock draft 2017: Harry Giles of Duke to Boston, says Chad Ford

http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2016/08/boston_celtics_mock_draft_2017.html#incart_river_index



Boston Celtics mock draft 2017: Harry Giles of Duke to Boston, says Chad Ford



The Boston Celtics get Harry Giles in Chad Ford's mock draft 1.0. (Gregory Payan / Associated Press)


Tom Westerholm | twesterh@masslive.com By Tom Westerholm | twesterh@masslive.com


on August 23, 2016 at 4:59 PM



It's entirely too early to start picking the 2017 draft, but Boston Celtics rumors have been dead for a couple of weeks, and ESPN's Chad Ford is here to give Celtics fans something to dream about.

Ford released his Mock Draft 1.0 on Tuesday, and — again, before the draft order is determined and before the college season determines which players' draft values rise and fall — his initial projection sends highly touted Duke freshman Harry Giles to the Celtics.

Here's Ford:  (NBA Insider link omitted)


Last year, the Celtics landed the No. 3 pick, Jaylen Brown, with a pick that previously belonged to Brooklyn. This year, the Celtics have the right to swap picks with Brooklyn. Given the Nets' roster, it's looking very likely that this pick will land in the top three or four.

If the Celtics pick here, Giles would be a very strong candidate. He was the consensus No. 1 player in his class before he tore his ACL prior to his senior season. If he's back to his explosive self as a freshman at Duke, he's a steal at No. 2. Think the next Chris Webber.

If you haven't seen Harry Giles dominate high school competition yet, feast your eyes on some highlights.




Giles was considered the consensus No. 1 pick in a loaded 2017 class before a pair of torn ACLs ended his high-school career early, but if he plays a healthy season for Duke this year, expect his stock to rise straight back up again. He's an unbelievable athlete with excellent length and mobility, and his versatility is off the charts — at 6-foot-9, he can pull up off the dribble and his range extends to the 3-point range, while his ability to slash to the hoop with the ball makes him an isolation threat as well. Ford's Chris Webber comparison is apt — Giles is nearly a perfect modern NBA prospect.

Of course, there will be understandable question marks about Giles' health after a pair of torn ACLs, and if he can't stay on the court at Duke, his considerable stock will take a hit — making him unlikely to be the No. 2 overall pick. While the hope is that Giles will be able to enjoy a long career as an NBA superstar, the Celtics will still be well set up in 2017 even if he is too risky to select with the Brooklyn pick, assuming the Nets will be as bad as their projections. Markelle Fultz (who Ford has going No. 1 to the point-guard starved Philadelphia 76ers), Josh Jackson, Dennis Smith, Frank Ntilikina, Lonzo Ball and Jayson Tatum would all be excellent consolation prizes in the healthy Harry Giles sweepstakes.

In any case, the Nets have handed the Celtics an unbelievable nest egg of young prospects to work with. A healthy Giles is the type of superstar a team can build around for years. If the Celtics can acquire him while still winning games this season, they will be extremely well set up for the future.



bob
MY NOTE:  6'11", 222#, 18 years old (turned in April).  7'3" wingspan, 9'1" standing reach.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Harry-Giles-7236/


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How completely and utterly, well... Remember growing up when your mom told you not to say anything or anyone was stupid?  Well this IS stupid.

On top of that, the kid hasn't played one second of college ball.  Really, what a waste.  Did Ford need space filler that bad?

And on top of that, my son, the huge Duke fan, filled me in on this kid and I'd take him in a heartbeat.  Either him or Thomas Bryant of Indiana (a local kid here BTW, and a more mature player), at center.

Guess that makes me... Ah... You know.  Too.

Bryant will likely be available in the 15-25 range. Slow feet and average skills despite being a hard worker with good measurables. Think Diamond Stone in better physical condition but with less polish to his offensive game.

I don't think you started enough threads today Bob.

Well, at least you were able to bury the only thread I started this week. It was the top 10 picks from the Chad Ford ESPN Insider mock draft this Tom Westerholm piece basically just copied and pasted.