Jeremy SochanPlayer·Jeremy Sochan's journey through the 2025-26 NBA season has been one of significant transition, culminating in a return to San Antonio for the NBA FinalsCompetition·NBA Finals, albeit in a New York KnicksTeam·New York Knicks uniform. Despite a diminished role with his new team, Sochan has maintained a professional outlook, emphasizing his commitment to being a positive presence.
"Staying ready, being the best teammate I can be," Sochan told the San Antonio Express-News on Wednesday. "Not all 18 guys can play on the court, so you have to accept that part and not be a cancer to the team. So the moment I came here, it felt cool. It felt natural to be here and be around and help the team out whatever way I can. And, yeah, it's been good."
Sochan's path to the Finals began with the San Antonio SpursTeam·San Antonio Spurs, where he spent three-plus seasons after being drafted ninth overall in 2022. He averaged 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 25.3 minutes across 212 games for the Spurs. However, his role with the team began to wane during the 2025-26 season, appearing in 28 games and averaging 4.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists. The emergence of rookie forward Carter BryantPlayer·Carter Bryant, drafted 14th overall in 2025, further impacted Sochan's playing time, leading to his release by the Spurs on February 11, 2026.
Just two days later, the Knicks, seeking wing depth, signed Sochan for the remainder of the season. While the move offered a fresh start, Sochan's playing time with New York has remained limited. In 16 regular-season games, he averaged 2.8 points and 2.1 rebounds, approximately six fewer minutes per game than he saw with the Spurs. His playoff appearances have also been sparse, featuring in five games with averages of 4.0 points and 1.0 rebound, with his last outing coming in the second round against Philadelphia.
Returning to San Antonio for the Finals has been a poignant experience for the 23-year-old. "That's where I stayed when I got drafted, so it's a full circle moment," Sochan remarked, noting the presence of his family in the city. He also expressed little surprise at his former team's success, stating, "I think my time there this season, we were a really good team. They have a really strong team in the Western ConferenceCompetition·Western Conference and I was there when we played (and beat) Oklahoma many times in the space of two weeks or whatever it was. I don't think it's a crazy surprise."
Knicks coach Mike BrownCoach·Mike Brown has acknowledged Sochan's potential, citing his defensive versatility and believing he can eventually play positions 1 through 5. This long-term view offers a glimpse into Sochan's future, even as his immediate impact on the court is minimal.
One of the most unique aspects of Sochan's situation is the certainty of an NBA championship ring. Having played for both the Spurs and the Knicks during the 2025-26 season, he is guaranteed a ring regardless of which team ultimately lifts the Larry O'Brien trophy. Furthermore, his two-and-a-half years playing alongside Victor WembanyamaPlayer·Victor Wembanyama with the Spurs provide the Knicks with invaluable insight into defending the formidable big man. Sochan has been actively sharing his knowledge with his new teammates.
"Being that tall, he gets tired. Give him different looks and be very physical, and make him run. And he's gonna get tired, he's gonna have to take some plays off in my opinion," Sochan shared regarding his strategy for Wembanyama. He emphasized the importance of his contribution, stating, "Whether I'm playing or not, it's important to feed all the information I have. And I think I know quite a lot."
The New York KnicksTeam·New York Knicks concluded the regular season with a strong 53-29 record, securing the 3rd seed in the Eastern ConferenceCompetition·Eastern Conference, and have navigated a successful postseason run to reach the Finals. As the series unfolds, Sochan's unique perspective and unwavering team-first attitude underscore the multifaceted narratives that define an NBA FinalsCompetition·NBA Finals.
Victor Wembanyama defends Karl-Anthony Towns during a Knicks vs. Spurs game. Credit: Agencia EFE/IMAGO
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