Trail Blazers Make Final Decision On Former Top-10 Pick Jeremy Sochan

The Portland Trail Blazers have made another roster decision ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season, announcing Saturday that they are waiving forward Jeremy Sochan. The move ends Sochan's brief stint in Portland after the team signed the former first-round pick in August to compete for a spot during training camp and the preseason.

Sochan, 23, entered the offseason looking for a fresh start after splitting the 2025-26 campaign between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks. Portland offered an opportunity to earn a role with a team looking to take another step forward in the Western Conference, but the fit ultimately did not last through the final roster decisions.

The 6-foot-8 forward appeared in all four of Portland's preseason games, averaging six points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per contest. He shot 62.5% from the field, making 10 of his 16 attempts, while knocking down four of his five three-point attempts. Those numbers showed some offensive efficiency, but they were not enough to secure his place on the roster.

Originally selected ninth overall by San Antonio in the 2022 NBA Draft, Sochan built a reputation as a versatile defender capable of guarding multiple positions. He averaged 9.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists across his NBA career entering the move, offering the type of defensive versatility that can be valuable for teams searching for depth on the wing.

For Portland, the decision reflects the difficulty of finding a place for every player on a roster with several established options. The Blazers have added significant talent to their backcourt, including Damian Lillard and Ja Morant, while continuing to build around young players and established contributors across the rotation. With the regular season approaching, the team had to make difficult choices about which players would fit its plans.

Sochan's departure also leaves Portland with some flexibility as it enters the season. The team is reportedly carrying 14 standard contracts and three two-way players, leaving one standard roster spot open. That could give the front office room to respond to future needs as the season unfolds.

Waiving Sochan does not erase the potential he showed as a young player in San Antonio, but it does mean Portland will look elsewhere for its frontcourt depth. With the regular-season opener against the Phoenix Suns set for October 21, the Blazers are finalizing their roster and preparing to see how their revamped lineup performs when the games begin to count.