New York Knicks have agreed to sign forward Jeremy Sochan, , following his release from the San Antonio Spurs. The agreement, reported by multiple sources including ESPN and Yahoo Sports, is for the remainder of the season and comes after Sochan cleared waivers.
The move marks a significant shift for the 22-year-old Polish international, who was a lottery pick in but saw his role diminish with the Spurs this season. His departure from San Antonio came as a surprise to some, despite speculation surrounding potential trades before the league’s trade deadline. The Spurs ultimately opted for a buyout, allowing Sochan to seek a more prominent role elsewhere.
Sochan had reportedly garnered interest from as many as ten teams, including the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers, before choosing the Knicks. New York was able to secure his signature by utilizing financial flexibility created by a recent trade involving Guerschon Yabusele to the Chicago Bulls, allowing them to offer Sochan a veteran’s minimum contract.
The Knicks, currently positioned as contenders in the Eastern Conference, were seeking additional wing depth prior to the trade deadline. Sochan, standing at 6’8”, provides a versatile athletic presence with size and defensive capabilities. He averaged 4.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and one assist in 28 games for the Spurs this season, shooting 47.5% from the field. His overall averages across four-plus seasons with San Antonio are 10.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.
Sochan’s time in San Antonio was marked by experimentation, including a period where he was deployed at the point guard position during Victor Wembanyama’s rookie season. In one notable performance, he recorded 31 points and 14 rebounds while playing point guard. However, the emergence of rookie forward Carter Bryant, drafted 14th overall in , contributed to Sochan’s reduced playing time this season.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson acknowledged Sochan’s desire for increased opportunity prior to his release, stating the team wanted to “do right by him and make sure that he had that opportunity before the year was over.” Sochan himself expressed gratitude for his time in San Antonio, noting it was the longest he had remained in one place since the age of 15.
The Knicks will be adding a player who has already demonstrated potential at the NBA level, having been a two-time Rising Stars participant as a rookie and sophomore. He will likely compete for playing time with other wing players on the roster, including rookie Mohamed Diawara. His defensive versatility and athleticism are expected to be valuable assets for a team with championship aspirations.
While Sochan’s role with the Knicks remains to be defined, the move represents a fresh start for the young forward. He joins a team currently third in the Eastern Conference, with a record of 35-20 as of , and a clear ambition to contend for a playoff berth and potentially a deeper run in the postseason. The Knicks’ ability to add a player with Sochan’s profile without exceeding the second apron of the salary cap further highlights their strategic roster management.
The decision by the Spurs to release Sochan reflects a shift in their own team dynamics, with the development of younger players like Bryant taking precedence. San Antonio, despite its own playoff positioning, prioritized providing Sochan with an opportunity to contribute more significantly to a contending team. This move underscores the evolving landscape of the NBA, where player development and strategic roster adjustments are paramount.
