Before the 2026 NBA trade deadline went into effect, the New York Knicks reportedly expressed interest in the former top-10 pick, Jeremy Sochan.

The San Antonio Spurs veteran knew that moving on was a possibility, but his trade market never really seemed to heat up. The Knicks made some moves, but they weren’t able to convince the Spurs to make a deal.

When the trade deadline initially passed, reports suggested that Sochan was in San Antonio to stay. That may no longer be the case. On Wednesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Spurs have agreed to release Sochan. Currently playing on a $7 million team option, a team could claim Sochan when the move is made, or he could clear waivers and sign somewhere on a different deal.

More NBA News: San Antonio Spurs Cut Ties With Former Top 10 Pick

Considering the Knicks showed trade interest and have an open roster spot, perhaps that could be an opportunity for them to take in another young veteran after adding the guard Jose Alvarado from the New Orleans Pelicans last week.

Sochan is 22 years old and in the midst of his fourth NBA season. This year, his opportunities have been limited, as he was averaging 12.8 minutes per game, posting averages of 4.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists.

Although year four has been down for Sochan, the veteran forward was consistent through his first few seasons in the league. He started 149 out of 184 games, seeing the court for 27.3 minutes per outing. Sochan averaged 11.4 points while shooting 46 percent from the field. He also came down with 6.1 rebounds per game.

This season, the Knicks have remained one of the strongest teams in the Eastern Conference. With a win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, the Knicks advanced to 35-20 on the year. They continue to trade places with the second-seeded Boston Celtics. The Knicks are trailing by 0.5 games in the race for the second seed.

Being a contender, the Knicks will certainly have an eye on the buyout market to fill up their final roster spot. While Sochan doesn’t fit the typical buyout candidate mold, holding no playoff experience in four seasons, the Knicks’ previous interest could be a sign that they could overlook that fact.

Beyond the Knicks, Sochan also gained interest from the Phoenix Suns, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. They are another team to keep an eye on as the former Spurs veteran looks to change teams for the first time.

For all the latest NBA news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.