The Golden State Warriors search for further big man depth will continue after a potential two-way contracted center signed with a rival team on Friday.
Former first-round pick Harry Giles III, who completed a workout with the Warriors this offseason, has signed a one-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets according to TNT and Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes.
Viewed as an ideal two-way contracted center for the Golden State Warriors, Harry Giles III has secured himself a deal on a main NBA roster.
The 25-year-old has earned his spot back in the league, having not played in the NBA since his one season with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2020-21. He averaged 2.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 9.2 minutes per game.
Giles was originally drafted by the Trail Blazers but was traded to the Sacramento Kings on draft night. The 6’11” big man played 104 games for the franchise across two seasons, averaging nearly seven points and four rebounds in just over 14 minutes per game.
With three years of NBA experience, Giles was still eligible for a two-way contract for one more season. It appears Golden State were unwilling to provide him a standard NBA deal on the main roster, which is likely a wise decision given the injury risk and uncertainty surrounding the former 20th overall pick.
The Warriors currently have little reinforcements behind starting center Kevon Looney. At present, Draymond Green and Dario Saric will be expected to take a chunk of minutes as small-ball fives, while rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis may enter the frame based on how he performs in training camp.
Giles will now look to earn minutes for the Nets behind rising young shot blocker Nic Claxton, with Day’Ron Sharpe the only other genuine center on Brooklyn’s current roster.
Golden State still have two vacant main roster spots, one of which is expected to remain open for the majority of next season. They also have two more two-way contracts available alongside young guard Lester Quinones.