Sacramento Kings: Re-drafting the team’s last 4 first-round picks

2017 (No. 20 Overall): Harry Giles > Jarrett Allen

At the time, this pick made plenty of sense. The Kings were still rebuilding, and Harry Giles was a former top high school recruit who seemed to possess limitless potential. That was, if he could actually get healthy and stay there.

Well, that hasn’t been the case through a season and a half.

Giles sat out his entire first season in Sacramento while attempting to regain stability in his knee. He’s since returned to action for the Kings, but it’s been a slow process for the No. 20 overall pick. Through 25 games this season, he’s averaging only 5.3 points, three rebound and 0.2 blocks per game. Apart from a couple of rare outbursts, it’s been a rather quiet debut for Giles.

Meanwhile, Jarrett Allen has been one of the few big men to actually shine from the 2017 draft class. Taken two picks after Giles by the Brooklyn Nets, he possessed raw upside but was seen as a major project. Well, it hasn’t taken long for him to deliver on his potential.

While far from a star, Allen has seen steady progress with the Nets. His numbers have improved from his rookie season, as he’s currently averaging 11.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Brooklyn needed a strong presence in the middle, and appear to have found it in the Texas product.

Jarrett isn’t as offensive-minded as Giles, but has proven capable of contributing on that end. Swapping the two would at least give the Kings someone who isn’t seemingly always on the verge of tearing his ACL.