Jeremy Sochan is leaving one NBA championship contender for another, hopeful he can provide a boost to his new team’s postseason push
Sochan is expected to join the New York Knicks upon clearing waivers, according to multiple reports on Thursday, Feb. 12, after the San Antonio Spurs agreed to a contract buyout and parted ways with the No. 9 pick from the 2022 NBA Draft. The Spurs had been trying to trade him before the league’s trade deadline last week.
Sochan had an expiring $7.1 million contract with San Antonio, but sought a bigger role after seeing his playing time drop significantly this season.
“We were all very aware of his desire to be in the rotation and given more of an opportunity, especially recently,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson told reporters, according to the San Antonio Express News. “We wanted to do right by him and make sure he had that opportunity before the year was over.”
Sochan, 22, is averaging a career-low 4.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1 assist per game this season, but logged more than 11 points and 6 rebounds per contest the previous two years with San Antonio.