Knicks Sign Jeremy Sochan as Rookie of the Year Reacts

The New York Knicks officially added Jeremy Sochan on Friday, and the move immediately came with bulletin-board material.

Last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, Stephon Castle, offered a playful but pointed warning for his longtime friend shortly after Sochan joined New York following his release from the San Antonio Spurs.

“Yeah, we talked about it already,” Castle said, per Jared Weiss of The Athletic. “I told him, if he’s guarding me, it’s gonna be ISO.”

The two former Spurs teammates will meet on opposite sides for the first time March 1, when San Antonio visits Madison Square Garden in what now shapes up as one of the Knicks’ most anticipated late-season matchups.

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Knicks Land Sochan After Deadline Maneuvering Pays Off

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 had pursued Sochan ahead of the trade deadline, according to league sources, but negotiations 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, the Knicks became well-positioned with their smart maneuvering to strike once Sochan reached the waiver market.

The signing deepens New York’s wing rotation at a crucial moment, reinforcing the front office’s patient, opportunistic approach after deadline maneuvering left flexibility intact.

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Knicks Land Jeremy Sochan With OG Anunoby Sidelined

Sochan’s arrival coincides with the Knicks navigating life without OG Anunoby, who has missed four straight games due to a toenail avulsion. In Anunoby’s absence, head coach Mike Brown has leaned on rookie Mohamed Diawara, whose defensive energy has stood out.

Diawara followed a strong showing in Boston earlier this week with a productive outing in Wednesday’s 138–89 rout of the Philadelphia 76ers, finishing with 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, and a steal. The performance continued his push for rotation minutes as the Knicks reshuffled roles.

If Anunoby remains sidelined, Sochan will have an immediate opportunity to compete for playing time, giving New York another versatile defender capable of guarding multiple positions while providing lineup flexibility.

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Spurs Exit Marked Turning Point for Sochan

Sochan’s departure from San Antonio followed his removal from the Spurs’ regular rotation in the season’s final months — a development that surprised the former lottery pick and ultimately led to a trade request before his release.

In a candid January interview, Sochan acknowledged the emotional toll of the demotion.

“I’m not going to lie to you and say it was rainbows and sunshine all day,” Sochan told reporters at the time. “There’s been moments where it’s very hard. I’ve been in the league for four years and this is kind of the first time where this has happened to me.”

Despite the setback, Sochan framed the experience as part of a longer journey rooted in resilience and adaptability.

“I can think of all the excuses, why and the reasons,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it’s important for me to remember who I am.”

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Castle Praises Sochan’s Professionalism

Castle, who maintained a close relationship with Sochan during their time in San Antonio, praised how the forward handled the difficult stretch.

“I think he handled it as best as he could,” Castle said. “Obviously, he wasn’t getting the minutes that he wanted, but I don’t think his demeanor or his body language really changed. In practice, he brought the same energy. He cheered guys on, on the bench, whether he played or not. So I think he handled it like a pro.”

With six games remaining this month before the Knicks host the Spurs, Sochan now has a fresh start — and an early test looming — as New York integrates another defensive-minded piece into a postseason-oriented rotation.

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