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Jeremy Sochan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on November 26, 2025 in Portland, Oregon.
The New York Knicks are targeting a Feb. 19 debut for their latest acquisition, Jeremy Sochan, who will join the roster after All-Star weekend.
According to the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy, the Knicks are confident Sochan will pass his physicals and be ready for the clash against the Detroit Pistons next Thursday, which will be the team’s first game after the weeklong All-Star break.
“Jeremy Sochan is expected to join the Knicks on Monday and will be available Thursday vs Pistons, the first game back from All-Star break, sources say,” Bondy reported on Thursday. “Heard the opportunity to play for a contender with veteran leadership was important for Sochan.”
Jeremy Sochan Chooses Knicks
Besides Bondy, several other insiders reported Thursday that Sochan specifically wanted to join the Knicks due to their championship-level roster. Furthermore, the Knicks reportedly contacted the San Antonio Spurs before the NBA trade deadline to express interest in Sochan, who was eventually waived by the Texas-based team.
New York’s interest in Sochan played a role in him signing with the franchise, per several league insiders. Besides the Knicks, nine other teams reportedly had interest in picking up Sochan off waivers. The Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns were among those 10 teams, per ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.
Shortly after signing with the Knicks, Sochan posted a video on social media, expressing his excitement about the move. Meanwhile, the likes of Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns had rather hilarious reactions to Sochan becoming their new teammate.
Knicks Elated With New Addition
The Knicks, who won 10 of their last 12 games before the All-Star break, have every reason to be joyous about Sochan’s addition. Besides Sochan, they also nabbed Jose Alvarado from the New Orleans Pelicans, the other player on their target list ahead of the NBA trade deadline. The Knicks reportedly had their sights set on three players before the deadline: Sochan, Alvarado and Yves Missi. They got two of their targets.
Alvarado has made an immediate impact as a member of the Knicks, averaging 14.0 points, 3.7 assists and 2.3 steals in his three games thus far. While he’s been excellent as an offensive sparkplug off the bench, teammate Josh Hart is more excited about the defensive tenacity Alvarado brings to the Knicks. After Wednesday’s 138-89 blowout win over the Philadelphia 76ers, Hart explained why Alvarado was exactly what the doctor ordered for a Knicks team that had been perceived as “soft” around the league.
“That’s what we need,” Hart said of Alvarado’s defensive hustle.
“That’s what we want from him. Obviously that toughness, ability to help us get organized, ability to knock down shots. And defensively bring energy, bring physicality, get in the passing lanes, those kinds of things. That’s why he’s here.”
Once Miles McBride returns from his injury, the Knicks could legitimately have an 11- or 12-man rotation entering the playoffs, a sea change from last year, when former head coach Tom Thibodeau relied on a maximum of nine players. Many analysts feel the deep Knicks are primed to end their 26-year NBA Finals drought.
Sai Mohan covers the NBA for Heavy.com. Based in Portugal, Sai is a seasoned sports writer with nearly two decades of publishing experience, including bylines at Yardbarker, FanSided’s Hoops Habit, International Business Times, Hindustan Times and more. More about Sai Mohan
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