Forward Jeremy Sochan intends to sign with the New York Knicks once he clears waivers, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
New York currently has an open roster spot and enough room below the NBA’s second-apron hard cap to add a player immediately. By finalizing a deal with Sochan before the March 1 deadline, the Knicks would make him eligible for the postseason roster.
ESPN cap analyst Bobby Marks noted that the Knicks moved from $148,000 to $1,148,358 below the second apron after a series of moves ahead of last week’s trade deadline. That cushion is sufficient to offer Sochan a prorated veteran-minimum contract while remaining under the apron. The 22-year-old would become a free agent again this summer.
The San Antonio Spurs waived Sochan on Thursday through a mutual agreement. Because his expiring salary of $7.1 million is too large to be claimed comfortably, he is expected to clear waivers, and Charania reports that 10 teams expressed interest in signing him once that process ends.
Selected ninth overall in the 2022 draft, Sochan started 149 games and averaged 27.3 minutes over his first three seasons with San Antonio, posting career marks of 11.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He fell out of the Spurs’ rotation in December and was widely considered a change-of-scenery candidate before the trade deadline; San Antonio had given his representatives permission to explore alternatives by Feb. 5, and the Knicks were among the clubs that showed trade interest.
In New York, the 6-foot-9 forward could bolster depth across multiple positions and add defensive versatility for a playoff push. His primary shortcoming has been outside shooting, as he has converted 28.7 percent of his career three-point attempts.
Source: Hoops Rumors
