Harry Giles III, Lakers Agree to 2-Way Contract After Nets Release

Former Brooklyn Nets big man Harry Giles has signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic reported the news and provided more information:

Giles, 25, signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Brooklyn Nets last September. He averaged 3.4 points on 50.0 percent shooting and 1.6 rebounds in 5.1 minutes per game (16 appearances). The Nets waived him on Feb. 8.

Giles was once a 5-star recruit and considered one of the best (if not the best) high school class of 2016 prospects. Unfortunately, a host of injuries have hindered his tremendous potential.

"Two minutes into Giles' first game as a senior with Oak Hill, however, he suffered a torn ACL in his right knee," Andscape's Marc J. Spears wrote.

"He previously tore the ACL, MCL and meniscus in his left knee while playing for USA Basketball in the 2013 FIBA Americas U16 Championship."

Giles had a third knee surgery while at Duke and missed 11 games. He left after his freshman year and essentially redshirted his first season with the Sacramento Kings, who got him via trade from the Portland Trail Blazers after they took him No. 20 overall.

Over his two seasons of playing time in Sacramento, Giles averaged 7.0 points and 3.9 rebounds over 14.3 minutes per game. He then left as a free agent and landed with the Trail Blazers but played sparingly in 2020-21 (under 10 MPG).

Giles then signed with the Los Angeles Clippers but suffered a torn ACL while playing for their G League team in December 2021.

His long road back to the NBA after two full seasons out of it ended with the Nets in 2023. Now he'll have another chance to play in the pros for L.A., which needs some frontcourt depth as Charania noted.