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Knicks: Jerian Grant Should Be Penciled in as Starter

By Maxwell Ogden

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Just in case the chorus of boos at Barclays Center on the night of the 2015 NBA Draft didn’t leak out and shake your home or apartment, New York Knicks fans aren’t happy about the team selecting Kristaps Porzingis.

As soon as Knicks fans calm down and realize that Phil Jackson and Steve Mills got it right at the 2015 NBA Draft, they should shift their focus to something that needs immediate attention: the starting lineup.

Jerian Grant, who was selected with the No. 19 pick and subsequently traded to the Knicks for Tim Hardaway Jr., believes that he can be the starting point guard.

Everything is earned in the NBA, but the former Notre Dame Fighting Irish star should be considered as a legitimate option to start at point guard.

Grant was a First Team All-American in 2014-15. He led the Fighting Irish to a massive turnaround from 15-17 in 2013-14 to 32-6 and an Elite Eight appearance in 2014-15.

Grant did so as a scorer, facilitator and defensive weapon for head coach Mike Brey.

According to Marc Berman and Zach Braziller of The New York Post, Grant believes that his versatility, basketball IQ and court vision fit perfectly into the Triangle Offense.

"“I make the guys around me a lot better,’’ Grant said. “I get them open looks. We’ll be ready to compete right away. … The triangle is for high IQ players and I feel I’m one of those. I’ll pick up on it quickly and help the guys around me.”"

He’s right, and that’s why he should start.

Langston Galloway is coming off of a season during which he shocked the NBA community and made the All-Rookie Second Team. A star for the Saint Joseph’s Hawks, Galloway went undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Not one to back down from a challenge, Galloway exceeded all expectations and provided a fearlessness approach to big moments and a proficiency from beyond the arc.

Much like Grant, Galloway deserves big minutes in 2015-16.

Jose Calderon will make $7,402,812 in 2015-16 and $7,708,427 in 2016-17. That alone puts him in the conversation for the starting point guard spot, as paying nearly $8 million to a backup isn’t exactly common.

Calderon battled injuries throughout 2014-15, however, and shot a career-worst 41.5 percent from the field.

It’s hard to say Grant is better than either player when he hasn’t stepped foot on an NBA court, but his upside is legitimate. He has elite size for the point guard position and is one of the most well-rounded prospects in the 2015 NBA Draft.

A 6’5″ point guard who can penetrate, facilitate, space the floor and defend multiple positions, Grant averaged 16.5 points, 6.7 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.3 3-point field goals made as a senior.

Grant truly can do it all.

Between his size and defensive versatility, he already has an advantage over both Calderon and Galloway. It’s hard to say that he’s a better facilitator than Calderon, who’s been one of the most efficient set-up men in NBA history, but he does display great court vision.

As much like Derek Fisher as Galloway may look on the court, his court vision is something that’s still a work in progress.

It’s entirely possible that New York will start Grant at the 2 and either Calderon or Galloway at point guard. Chances are, Jackson will look for a bigger defensive specialist to round out the perimeter at shooting guard.

One way or another, Grant must be no less than in the discussion for a starting role.

Once the battle for the starting job begins in training camp, all eyes should be on Grant. He could be the future for the Knicks, or he could be a bust, but no one will know until he’s thrown into the fire.

New York gave up an apparent building block in Hardaway Jr. and acquired one of the most NBA-ready point guards in this draft class.

The time is now to test Grant’s mettle.

Next: Kristaps Porzingis is looking to turn boos to cheers

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