10:00pm: The deal is official, according to RealGM’s transactions log.
7:04pm: After a stint in the Pacific Northwest, free agent big man Harry Giles will be returning to California for the 2021/22 season, albeit for a new team. Giles will sign a non-guaranteed contract with the Clippers, per Shams Charania of The Athletic (via Twitter).
Giles was selected with the No. 20 pick out of Duke in 2017 by Portland on behalf of the Kings. He subsequently missed the entire 2017/18 NBA season with knee issues. During his first two healthy NBA seasons, he showed promise in a limited bench role for lottery-bound Sacramento squads.
Last year, Giles signed a one-year minimum deal with his first playoff club, the Trail Blazers, in a more marginal reserve slot than he had with the Kings. In 38 games during the 2021/22 season, Giles averaged 2.8 PPG and 3.5 RPG in 9.2 MPG.
Giles will join a Clippers club hoping to remain in the playoff picture, despite All-NBA small forward Kawhi Leonard at least missing a significant portion of the season with a partial ACL tear.
Giles will play behind veteran big men Ivica Zubac and Serge Ibaka at the center position if he makes the regular season roster. The team currently has 14 players on guaranteed contracts.
At this point, Harry Giles is JAG. Sucks injuries robbed him. Was hoping he’d get right physically and have an excellent career. At least he’s making money for his future.
Good pick up by the Clippers. It is a shame that players such as Giles and Jonathan Bender hurt their knees. Would have been interesting to see how good they could have been. As you say, at least Giles can stay in the league and keep making money.