What is that age-old quote again? The Grass is not always greener on the other side. When it comes to Jeremy Sochan, this phrase couldn’t be more accurate. Unhappy with his role for the high-flying San Antonio Spurs, the athletic forward hoped for a fresh start with the New York Knicks and carve out a role for a legitimate title contender -- this has not materialised. There were rumors that the Philadelphia 76ers were interested in Sochan, but luckily, that deal never came to fruition.
Sochan appeared destined for a prosperous career with the Spurs, as he and the young core that the franchise had created around Victor Wembanyama continued to flourish over several seasons. However, as San Antonio's dominance on the floor coincided with a reduction in Sochan's minutes (12.8 per game), it became obvious that a move away from the franchise would be the only option if he wanted to be viewed as a prominent option.
With an abundance of players plagued by injury issues, Philadelphia was rumoured to have an interest in acquiring Sochan; given that his impact with the Knicks has been minimal, fans will be thrilled that this was a move Daryl Morey swerved.
Sochan's struggles vindicate the 76ers' lack of interest
In theory, this seems like a match made in heaven for the Philadelphia 76ers. At the time, Sochan would not only have strengthened an injury-depleted roster, but his athleticism, hustle, and defensive skills were qualities the Sixers fan base would have loved. In fact, they are traits that New Yorkers crave in a role player. Nevertheless, this is a move that has worked out for either party -- only the Philadelphia 76ers.
Jeremy Sochan became a free agent after being waived by the Spurs after the NBA trade deadline passed. The Knicks pounced on the chance to add the 2023 All-Rookie forward to their roster, adding much-needed depth to a frontcourt that already boasted the talented duo of Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby.
Unfortunately for the 22-year-old, opportunities to prove his worth to Mike Brown and his group of players have been limited. Over 12 appearances, Sochan has averaged just 5.5 minutes per game. To make matters worse, the impact he has made during these sporadic stints on the court has been minimal -- recording 1.9 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game.
Whether you rate Sochan as a player or not, having this sort of role in any rotation would prove impossible to showcase your skill set. The question that should be raised is why a young athlete in the mould of Sochan would not be granted enough game time to stake his claim on the team, with the Knicks' place in the postseason all but secured? Could this be an attitude problem? An unwillingness to hustle during practice? Or is he simply a bad fit for Brown's tactical blueprint?
No matter what the reason, the Philadelphia 76ers must be praised for sidestepping Jeremy Sochan when he became available in free agency. The Sixers are now benefitting from a patient approach, allowing their injured forward options to become eligible for selection. Paul George, Kelly Oubre Jr., Dominick Barlow, and Justin Edwards have all played a big role in the 76ers’ recent resurgence; the same cannot be said about Sochan in New York.