The Brooklyn Nets managed to get involved in the trade deadline madness after being quiet for all of Thursday morning. In the afternoon, the Nets traded Spencer Dinwiddie to the Toronto Raptors for Dennis Schroder and Thaddeus Young, but due to roster constraints, someone had to be waived.
After the Nets dealt Dinwiddie, it was reported by Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report, and later confirmed by Brooklyn in a press release, that the team waived forward/center Harry Giles III in a related move. Giles, 25, suffers another setback to his career as he works his way back from some major knee injuries that have robbed him of his athleticism and agility.
After signing with the Nets this past offseason, Giles appeared to be on the right track to getting back in the NBA as he was on an active NBA roster for the first time since the 2020-21 season. It seemed like a complete comeback from his injuries after Brooklyn guaranteed his contract for the rest of this season after entering the season on a partially-guaranteed contract that became fully guaranteed if he wasn’t waived by Jan. 8.
However, after seeing how this season has gone for Giles, it makes sense why he was waived at this time. Giles played just 5.1 minutes per game in 16 appearances this season due to Brooklyn’s logjam in the frontcourt with starting center Nic Claxton and backup center Day’Ron Sharpe playing well throughout this season.
It should be noted that when Giles was on the floor, usually when the outcome was decided, he showed glimpses of why he was one of the best high school players that America has seen in recent memory. With him being waived, Giles will have a chance to find a team that offers him more of a role than the Nets could.
Brooklyn Nets are waiving Harry Giles III, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 8, 2024
Thank you, Harry pic.twitter.com/Q6Nex0lsCN
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 8, 2024
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