Jeremy Sochan, Knicks
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Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs falls into the New York Knicks bench during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden.
Jeremy Sochan wasted little time embracing life in New York.
After the New York Knicks confirmed the signing of the 22-year-old forward took to Instagram with a playful message: he was looking for a barber — and considering a change in hair color — as he begins the next chapter of his NBA career.
The post quickly caught fire among Knicks fans, who have long associated Sochan with bold hair choices and high-energy play. It also symbolized something deeper: a fresh start for a former lottery pick eager to reset after a turbulent final stretch with the San Antonio Spurs.
Knicks Win Waiver Race After Deadline Patience
ESPN insider Shams Charania reported Thursday that Sochan chose the Knicks among 10 interested teams after San Antonio agreed to waive him earlier this week.
New York’s interest was not new.
The Knicks pursued Sochan ahead of the trade deadline, but talks stalled when the Spurs declined to take back Guerschon Yabusele, who carried a player option for next season at the time. When no deal materialized and San Antonio later pivoted, New York’s patience paid off.
Yabusele ultimately helped the Knicks, amending his contract by waiving his player option for next season to facilitate his trade to Chicago for Dalen Terry, whom the Knicks later packaged with future second-round picks for Brooklyn native Jose Alvarado.
Those moves enable the Knicks to squeeze more cap room to accommodate Sochan once he hits the waiver market.
The move reinforced the front office’s opportunistic approach — waiting rather than forcing action — while still addressing a clear need on the wing.
Social Media Nod to Madison Square Garden
Shortly after reports surfaced that he would sign with New York, Sochan posted a telling clip on social media: a rain-soaked man in Times Square passionately singing along to Empire State of Mind.
The lyrics — “In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of” — served as a clear nod to Madison Square Garden and underscored the significance of the opportunity ahead.
The moment resonated with Knicks fans and his new teammates, who have embraced Sochan’s personality as much as his on-court versatility.
Departure From San Antonio Marked by Role Change
Sochan’s exit from San Antonio followed his removal from the Spurs’ regular rotation in the final months of the season — a development that surprised the former No. 9 overall pick and ultimately led to a trade request before his release.
In a candid January interview after losing his spot in the rotation, Sochan reflected on how difficult the moment had been.
“When I think about my whole life, I’ve been moving all over the place,” Sochan told reporters at the time. “This is the first time I’ve been somewhere for more than a year since then. And it’s been four years. I feel like I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this city. I’m going to put all of that into wherever I am.”
That effort, he made clear, would travel with him.
Knicks Add Versatile Wing at Crucial Moment
Drafted ninth overall in 2022, Sochan was initially viewed as a foundational piece of San Antonio’s rebuild — a high-motor, multi-positional defender capable of guarding across the lineup. Over his first three seasons, he started 149 games and averaged more than 27 minutes per contest, earning early trust for his defense and versatility.
His role fluctuated this season as the Spurs experimented with different lineups and responsibilities, but the Knicks believe his skill set fits their current needs.
Sochan’s signing deepens New York’s wing rotation at a critical point in the season, providing defensive flexibility and energy behind a roster firmly in the championship conversation. The move also comes without sacrificing assets — a rare win for a team balancing present contention with long-term planning.
A New Look, and a New Opportunity
Whether Sochan ultimately changes his hair color remains to be seen. But his Instagram barber search, Times Square tribute, and embrace of Knicks culture have already made an impression.
For Sochan, the move represents more than a change of scenery. It is a chance to channel the “blood, sweat and tears” he poured into San Antonio into a new environment — one where opportunity, spotlight, and expectations all run higher.
Now, that effort will be directed toward New York.