The Knicks are rounding out a roster they hope can compete for a championship with one big addition entering the mid-February NBA All-Star Break.
The Knicks are signing 2022 No. 9 overall pick Jeremy Sochan to a rest of the season minimum contract, league sources told the Daily News. ESPN was first to report Sochan’s intention to sign with the Knicks following his buyout with the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.
Sochan made the 2023 NBA All-Rookie Second Team with averages of 11.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. He is a 28.7% career three-point shooter who makes his impact on the defensive end and as a slashing play-maker on offense.
Sochan, according to ESPN, chose the Knicks from a field of 10 teams interested in the versatile defender’s services.
And the Knicks, according to league sources, targeted Sochan at the Feb. 5 NBA Trade Deadline, but ultimately traded Guerschon Yabusele to the Chicago Bulls as part of a three-team deal that landed Jose Alvarado, who scored 26 points and made eight 3s in Wednesday’s victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. The Knicks view both Sochan and Alvarado as trade deadline acquisitions.
Sochan, 22, has career averages of 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and roughly a steal and half of a block per game. He appeared in just 28 games in San Antonio this season before the Spurs waived him on Wednesday.
The Knicks, according to league sources, view Sochan was a young player with high upside as a versatile defender who can also handle the ball and make plays for his teammates on offense. The 6-foot-8 forward joins a thin Knicks front court featuring Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson as the only experienced centers, plus OG Anunoby and rookie Mohamed Diawara as the only size appropriate options at the four spot.
Sochan joins an improved second unit set to support a stacked starting five of Towns, Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart. The Knicks now believe they can trust 15 players in their rotation, as Sochan joins Robinson, Alvarado, Diawara, Landry Shamet, second-year players Tyler Kolek, Ariel Hukporti and Kevin McCullar Jr., plus the injured Miles McBride (pelvic surgery).
