Irish Duo Grant and Connaughton: Drafted and Traded

Jerian Grant – 19th Pick – Selected by Washington Wizards – Traded to the Knicks

Jerian Grant was actually involved in two draft day trades as detailed by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Chris Vivlamore:

"The Hawks made two draft-night trades – and ended up with NBA player Tim Hardaway Jr. Thursday night. The Hawks made their No. 15 overall pick in the first round of Kelly Oubre. The freshman small forward from Kansas won’t play in Atlanta. The Hawks sent Oubre to the Wizards for the No. 19 pick and two future second-round picks in 2016 and 2019. Twenty minutes later the Wizards picked Jerian Grant for the Hawks, who sent the point guard from Notre Dame to the Knicks for Hardaway."

The initial response to this trade is mostly positive around the media. ESPN NBA Insider Chad Ford liked the New York Knick’s draft night trade for Grant:

The Bottom Line:

Manuel De Jesus  of the Observer Online – A Notre Dame and St. Mary’s College student run paper – spoke with Grant after the draft. Grant is excited to team up with the 4th overall pick, the lanky Latvian Kritaps Porzingis. Grant explained his excitement to be a member of the Knicks Organization:

"“The triangle offense requires someone with high basketball IQ” Grant said. “I think im one of those guys. I’ll pick up the offense quickly and help the guys around me.” Grant is confident in the potential offensive production the Knicks can create with Anthony and Porzingis with that offensive scheme. “[Carmelo] and Kris, two great players, will definitely open things up for me,” Grant said. Grant mentioned that before the draft, he and Porzingas talked about potential landing spots and discussed Porzingas’s desire to play for the Knicks. Grant said he had no idea that he would eventually be playing with Porzingas this year for the Knicks."

Grant adds a new dimension to the Knicks backcourt. Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey spoke with New York Post about the team’s MVP and his fit with Phil Jackson’s system in New York:

"“I think it’s a great fit,” Brey said. “To play in Phil’s system, you have to have a high basketball IQ and feel for the game. Jerian Grant has the highest basketball IQ and is the most polished player in this draft. … They need instant help. He can help them. His feel for the game had to be something that was really attractive to Phil Jackson.”"