Sochan discusses his expected role on one of the deepest rosters in the NBA.
After being waived by the San Antonio Spurs and drawing interest from 10 different teams, Jeremy Sochan, the former ninth overall pick from the 2022 NBA Draft who averaged just 4.1 points and 2.6 rebounds across 28 appearances this season, signed with the New York Knicks.
He sees the move as a fresh start alongside some of the best players in the East.
Sochan Explains Why He Picked New York
Speaking to the media after joining the Knicks, Sochan talked about what he expects his role to be and why New York was always at the top of his list.
"We've talked a lot, whatever opportunity I get," Sochan said. "One of the reasons why I picked New York is again, it's a very deep roster, a lot of really talented players."
Sochan views the move as a chance to develop alongside players who have been performing at a high level for years, and he believes he is still young enough to grow from the experience.
"I still think I'm young, so just being around players that have established themselves and have done a lot of stuff in this league is a crazy opportunity for me," Sochan added.
What Sochan Brings to a Loaded Roster
The Knicks sit at 35-20 and third in the Eastern Conference, with a starting five that features All-Stars Jalen Brunson (27.0 points, 6.1 assists per game) and Karl-Anthony Towns (19.9 points, 11.9 rebounds per game) alongside OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart, so Sochan is not walking into a situation where he needs to carry a heavy load.
Head coach Mike Brown has said he plans to give Sochan a real shot at minutes off the bench, pointing to his size and defensive versatility as the main reasons the team wanted him.
"When you look at Jeremy, you like his size right off the bat, especially for a forward," Brown said, noting that Sochan's 6-foot-8 frame and 7-foot wingspan give the Knicks added length behind their starters.
A Fresh Start After San Antonio
Sochan's time in San Antonio did not end the way anyone expected when the Spurs drafted him in 2022, as he went from starting 149 games across his first three seasons to barely seeing the floor this year after falling out of the rotation under coach Mitch Johnson.
Now in New York, Sochan does not need to be a star or score 20 points a night because the Knicks already have plenty of guys who can do that.
What they need from him is energy, toughness, and someone who can guard multiple positions off the bench as the team makes its push toward the playoffs.
"I bring versatility, defense, energy, a little bit of tenacity, so I can't wait," Sochan said.
With the playoffs right around the corner, the Knicks are betting that a change of scenery will bring out the best in the 22-year-old, and if Sochan can show even a fraction of what he did in his first three years, New York's already deep bench just got more dangerous.