If Danny's medical staff truly trusts Giles knees to be 100% sound, then I'll trust them.
But if there is even the slightest doubt about how well they look for the long run, I just can't myself see gambling what is almost certainly a top 5 pick on him.
I know that many fans here yearn for a stud big man talent because it has been, like, forever since we had one. But Danny has to draft for best player available, not need. And best player available has to take into account health and long term prognosis.
Also, folks might want to remind themselves that in addition to whomever we pick with the Nets pick, we will also be bringing Yabusele and Zizic on board next year.
Zizic is a similar style of player to Giles: He's a long, energetic and athletic big who plays in the post on both ends, grabs every rebound, can run the floor and finish above the rim.
Heck, folks should consider that Zizic only just turned 20 yesterday, is slightly taller and longer than Giles (7'0", 7' 3" wingspan, 9' 3" standing reach) and already big enough to play C in the NBA (~260 lbs of muscle).
I'm not dumb enough to say that Zizic has the same upside as a fully healthy Giles would have, but we just don't know if Giles will be able to reach that upside anymore.
The main point though, is if the 'need' that folks want to address with this pick is to add a talented young 7 footer who can finally fill the role of athletic, long, rebounding low-post big man, they should remember that we already have one guy slated for that role next year.