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Is Harry Giles the Detroit Pistons’ longed-for superstar?

By Leighton Chappell

Nov 23, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; A general view of basketball court sideline before the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Miami Heat at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; A general view of basketball court sideline before the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Miami Heat at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sitting with the 12th pick in this year’s draft, the Detroit Pistons appear just out of reach to attain an out-right super star. If available, could Harry Giles be the diamond in the rough Detroit is looking for?

Mock drafts everywhere have the Detroit Pistons selecting players such as Donovan Mitchell, Zach Collins (if he drops), Luke Kennard, and others with this year’s 12th pick.

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As the players listed are highly-skilled and have attributes the Detroit Pistons could certainly use, they aren’t the same potential stars in the making projected to be drafted top five (such as Lonzo Ball and Markelle Fultz).

It’s not that Donovan Mitchell, Zach Collins, Luke Kennard, or others are unable to become super stars, though, as of today, those players don’t possess the same limitless ceilings or skill-sets capable of having an immediate, long-lasting impact as those projected to be selected beforehand.

If Detroit is comfortable selecting a Donovan Mitchell or Luke Kennard and believe their selection CAN evolve to super-stardom, then great! That said, if the Pistons possesses a growing impatience and hopes to acquire a superstar talent soon (as indicated with their eagerness to trade the pick for a win-now veteran), then they might be out of luck.

With a lack of cap space, Detroit can’t sign a superstar this off season (neither can they attract one). Additionally, as teams don’t want to give up talent, it seems improbable Detroit trades for one. Then, with the Pistons’ last option being the draft, sitting at 12 it seems unlikely the team slips away with a rare talent.

Well, almost unlikely.

Detroit’s longed-for superstar could be available with Duke’s Harry Giles.

When finishing high school, the 6’11” (then 6’9″) forward was the number one prospect in the country. Many claimed Giles capable of entering the draft without college experience and expected him to be a one-and-done guy.

And for many, they were right: Harry Giles was one-and-done with Duke. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the impact in Durham as expected.

In his one year of college ball, Giles averaged 3.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 11.5 minutes per game. Analysts hold Giles’ left-knee surgery, repaired before his freshman year, accountable for the unimpressive statistics.

Today, teams are still speculative whether Giles’s knee injury and durability will hold up in the NBA. And due to speculation, the former Blue Devil most likely will be available for the Pistons to snag.

And what a deal that could be.

Again, as there are questions about Giles’s durability, his potential is sky-high. Not only is his offensive game impressive with his developing jump shot and down-low presence, but he is an animal on defense thanks to his gifted athleticism.

Additionally, Giles believes he is 100 percent healthy now and wants to live up to the hype he once carried.

Hence, with outstanding athletic ability, well-rounded tools, and a determined mind set, Harry Giles possesses everything he needs to be a future superstar. And if concerns with durability is a thing of the past, then only time will tell before Giles has finally ‘made it big.’

Next: Detroit Pistons: Updates on candidates for pick #12

Ultimately though, it’s up to Detroit to decide the path they take draft night. No matter who they select, time will be needed to develop and groom their selection. Though, for the Pistons, time with Giles could lead to a dominant front court as well as a superstar in the making.

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