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Jeremy Sochan looks to get past Josh Hart of the New York Knicks.
In today’s NBA, there is no such thing as too many wings.
Length, athleticism and defensive switchability have become prerequisites for contenders, and the New York Knicks have quietly built one of the league’s deepest and most versatile wing rotations. With OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and rookie Mohamed Diawara, New York already possessed length and flexibility across the perimeter.
Now, the Knicks have added another layer.
Former lottery pick Jeremy Sochan has joined New York on a rest-of-season deal after clearing waivers following his release from San Antonio, giving the Knicks an additional defensive option as the postseason race tightens.
Mike Brown Views Sochan as Insurance for Injury-Prone Rotation
Knicks head coach Mike Brown made clear that Sochan’s arrival is as much about depth as it is about versatility.
According to The Athletic’s James Edwards III, Brown views Sochan as “good insurance if OG or Josh miss games.”
That insurance has already proven necessary. Hart has missed 12 games this season, while Anunoby has missed 14.
“When you look at Jeremy, you like his size right off the bat, especially for a forward,” Brown said after Wednesday’s practice. “OG is of that size, but no one else is really of that size.”
Brown also pointed to Sochan’s defensive range, emphasizing his ability to guard across positions.
Former Lottery Pick Brings Size, Length, Defensive Flexibility
Sochan enters the Knicks’ rotation as a 6-foot-9 forward with a 7-foot wingspan and a reputation built primarily on defense.
Selected ninth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, Sochan was initially viewed as a cornerstone of the San Antonio Spurs’ rebuild. Over his first three seasons, he started 149 games, averaging 27.3 minutes while producing 11.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest.
Defensively, he earned early trust from longtime coach Gregg Popovich and later from interim head coach Mitch Johnson because of his strength, physicality and ability to guard multiple positions.
Offensively, however, the fit in San Antonio never fully stabilized.
Sochan has converted just 28.7 percent of his career three-point attempts, and the Spurs experimented with his role — at times deploying him as a point forward, a small-ball center, and a defensive specialist. The versatility showcased his adaptability, but it also underscored uncertainty about how best to maximize his skill set.
Knicks Betting on Age, Role Definition, and Situational Usage
Those offensive limitations contributed to Sochan falling out of San Antonio’s regular rotation late in the season. In New York, however, the expectations are markedly different.
At just 22 years old, Sochan joins a deeper, more established roster where his role is expected to be situational rather than foundational. Brown has been deliberate in avoiding guarantees.
“I’m not 100 percent sure,” Brown said. “But I do see a role for him because of the things I mentioned. I plan on trying to use him. Hopefully, we get to a point where he’s playing one through five for us.”
For the Knicks, Sochan is not being asked to solve offensive spacing or create shots. Instead, he offers lineup flexibility, physicality and defensive insurance — especially in matchups that demand size on the perimeter.
Defensive Identity Strengthened After Midseason Turbulence
At minimum, Sochan brings energy and edge to a Knicks team that briefly lost its defensive identity earlier this season.
That vulnerability was exposed during a 2–9 stretch in January, a slump that prompted league-wide questions about New York’s championship viability. Since then, the Knicks have stabilized, rediscovering defensive intensity and cohesion.
The additions of Sochan and Jose Alvarado have reinforced that identity.
“Anytime you can add more attitude to your team, you add it — on top of what they bring as players,” said Brown of the Knicks’ midseason additions.
As the postseason approaches, New York may not need Sochan every night. But in a league where injuries and matchups dictate survival, the Knicks’ growing wing depth could quietly become one of their most valuable advantages.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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