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The Kings declined the 22-year-old's team option for 2020-21 last year, so he hit free agency after the shortened season. He's had a relatively underwhelming first two campaigns in the NBA, playing 104 games and averaging 7.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 14.3 minutes -- and he's logged 30-plus minutes just twice. Giles is joining a new franchise after signing a one-year, $1.7 million contract with the Trail Blazers during the offseason. Again, he'll likely be in for a relatively small role. Jusuf Nurkic has the starting center job on lock, and it appears Enes Kanter will be the primary backup. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues have almost no reason to look into Giles, and managers in dynasty formats might be able to safely cut bait, as well.
After sitting out the entire 2017-18 season, Giles finally received his first taste of NBA action last year. He played in 58 games off the bench, averaging 7.0 points and 3.8 rebounds across 14.0 minutes per night. When he did receive added playing time, he showed promise by averaging 13.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 blocks across eight games in which he logged at least 20 minutes. The departure of Willie Cauley-Stein could have freed up added playing time, but the Kings created a bit of a logjam up front by adding Dewayne Dedmon and Richaun Holmes. Marvin Bagley could also see some time at center when they go small. While Giles has the potential to valuable fantasy asset, it's hard to see a path for him consistently seeing minutes in the mid-20s with all of the options that the Kings have in the frontcourt.
While recovering from knee surgery, Giles, the 20th pick in the 2017 Draft, didn't see the court last season. However, he was healthy enough to play in summer league this year, and he performed well. In seven appearances, he averaged 10.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and over two combined blocks and steals in 24.6 minutes. In what will be his rookie year, Giles is expected to play a backup role in the frontcourt behind the likes of Willie Cauley-Stein and No. 2 overall pick Marvin Bagley. However, the Kings have other solid frontcourt options off the pine as well, so there’s no guarantee that Giles will crack 20 minutes on a nightly basis.
Giles had his first start in college come in December of 2016 after missing the first chunk of the season due to arthroscopic left knee surgery. He struggled to make a significant impact as a freshman, posting just 3.9 points and 3.8 rebounds across 11.5 minutes per game, though shot 57.7 percent from the field. Despite three total knee surgeries and a subpar 300-minute college career, Giles is still an impressive athlete – 6-foot-11, 240 pounds with a 7-foot-3 wingspan and 32.5-inch vertical -- with enough upside for the Kings to have drafted him with the 20th overall pick in the 2017 Draft. His size should allow for him to play both power forward and center at the NBA level. That said, all the time he’s missed due to knee surgeries has stunted his development as an offensive player, resulting in him seeing most of his points in college coming from running in transition, diving towards the rim off pick-and-rolls, plus working the offensive glass. Prior to his injuries though, he established a nice baseline of quick, efficient post moves and even a solid mid-range jumper. Next season for Giles will likely be about utilizing his best skills -- rebounding and shot-blocking – in game, while working on his offensive skill and overall basketball IQ in training camp, practice, garbage time, etc. With that in mind, Giles can likely be avoided in seemingly every Fantasy format, as he doesn’t necessarily project to see even significant rotational minutes.