Jeremy Sochan’s New York era started with a joke, but the opportunity behind it is serious. Less than 24 hours after the San Antonio Spurs waived the 22-year-old forward, he agreed to sign with the New York Knicks. Within hours, he was already part of the locker-room banter.
Sochan posted a video of someone singing Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” completely off-key. New teammate Josh Hart reposted it with a blunt caption: “Oh hell no…” It was a light moment. But it also marked a fresh start for a player whose trajectory stalled in San Antonio.
Why San Antonio Moved On
The Spurs’ decision was rooted in rotation math. Sochan’s role shrank as the season progressed. He averaged just 4.1 points in 12.8 minutes across 28 games. His minutes were squeezed by veteran Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, and rookie Carter Bryant. In the frontcourt, everything orbits around Victor Wembanyama. There were simply not enough developmental reps to go around.
That decline is notable when viewed against his previous production. In 2024-25, Sochan averaged 11.4 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 53.5 percent from the field. The season prior, he posted 11.6 points and 6.4 rebounds and even flashed playmaking upside with 3.4 assists per game. He never developed into a perimeter spacer, but he consistently rebounded, defended multiple positions, and embraced physical matchups.
San Antonio explored trade options before the deadline but found no deal that made sense. A buyout created flexibility for both sides. Multiple teams expressed interest once he cleared waivers. New York moved quickly.
Why the Knicks See Value
For the Knicks, this is a calculated buy-low swing. They entered the stretch run needing frontcourt depth after moving on from Guerschon Yabusele to acquire Jose Alvarado. The roster leans heavily on Karl-Anthony Towns and a managed Mitchell Robinson workload. Behind them, the options thin out quickly.
Sochan projects as an energy forward behind OG Anunoby. He won’t be asked to create offense. That burden belongs to Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges. Instead, Sochan’s job is straightforward: defend with force, rebound outside his area, and keep the ball moving.
Financially, the move fits New York’s reality. The Knicks sit over the first apron and operate with limited flexibility. Affordable contributors matter when building out a contender’s rotation. If Sochan can deliver playable playoff minutes, he becomes a cost-controlled depth piece on a team chasing the Finals.
His first appearance in orange and blue will come after the All-Star break. The expectations are clear. Bring physicality, energy and defense. The jokes are already landing. Now the Knicks need the on-court impact to match the personality. Knicks fans have already began to rally around the Knicks other midseason pickup, Jose Alvarado. Sochan can get the same love if he makes the most of his limited opportunities.
