For the last stretch of the season, your Los Angeles Lakers have expanded their roster with a new member! But before you get too excited, keep in mind that LA will only be signing Harry Giles to a two-way contract, as reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic.
On paper, Giles is an odd addition. He is a 6’11” former big man/power forward for the Duke Blue Devils who had been out of the NBA for two years after being chosen with the No. 20 pick in 2017. Before he was cut, Giles averaged 3.4 points and 1.6 rebounds in 5.1 minutes per night while playing for the Brooklyn Nets in 16 games this season.
Before he was cut, Giles averaged 3.4 points and 1.6 rebounds in 5.1 minutes per night while playing for the Brooklyn Nets in 16 games this season. Two-way berths are typically saved for young, promising players who have room to grow. While Giles, at 25, is still relatively young and has a history of injuries, there seem to be more fascinating, higher-upside candidates who would be worth investigating with a two-way berth after he spent portions of four NBA seasons on three different teams in the previous six seasons.
The Lakers will need to make a roster cut in order to make room for Giles because all three of their two-way berths are currently taken. Colin Castleton, a two-way center who will likely be sidelined for at least another week due to a fractured right wrist, is the obvious choice. In his limited seven games with LA, Castleton has averaged 2.6 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 5.1 minutes per game.
