NBA Mock Draft 2017: Could the Atlanta Hawks target Harry Giles?

Names like Jarrett Allen and Justin Patton have been quite prevalent when scouring mock drafts for what the Atlanta Hawks could do with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. “Project” big men in that mold make sense given the fact that the Hawks could use some upside and depth in the frontcourt but, earlier this week, an even more intriguing name came to the forefront.

Andrew Sharp of Sports Illustrated projects Duke big man Harry Giles to the Hawks with the No. 19 pick and he had this to say in explaining the fit.

Giles is another wild card. His injury issues at Duke are well documented, and his draft stock could rise or fall 8-10 spots as he works out for teams around the league. For now, he's here as placeholder--and a reminder that Dwight Howard is 31 years old, Paul Millsap is a free agent, and the Hawks need a big man.

Giles was once the consensus No. 1 overall player in this class (yes, even ahead of Markelle Fultz) before injury issues struck. The one-and-done big man has endured three knee surgeries and, as a result, Giles visibly struggled at times during his one campaign in Durham.

With that said, the medicals will be absolutely crucial in projecting where he could land and they are filled with uncertainty. At his best, Giles would be a tremendous athletic force on both ends of the floor, displaying the tantalizing upside that made scouts salivate over the years. On the downside, he could, quite easily, be out of a job in short order if his body does not cooperate in allowing his athleticism to flourish.

Many believe that Giles is the most difficult prospect to gauge at this point and that makes sense. His pre-draft workouts (and medical checks) will be pivotal but it would not be difficult to see Atlanta’s interest level spiking if they were to like what they see in Harry Giles.

What say you?