The Spurs have agreed to grant Jeremy Sochan his release, reports Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link). The team officially announced in a press release that the fourth-year forward has been placed on waivers.
The No. 9 overall pick in the 2022 draft, Sochan had fallen out of San Antonio’s rotation since December and was viewed as a change-of-scenery candidate ahead of last week’s trade deadline. The club reportedly gave his representatives permission to explore a potential move leading up to February 5.
The Spurs, one of three NBA teams not to make an in-season trade, didn’t make a deadline deal involving Sochan, but he’ll still get a chance at a fresh start before the summer. Assuming no team places a waiver claim on the forward and his expiring $7.1MM expiring contract, which is probably a safe bet, he’ll reach unrestricted free agency and will have the opportunity to sign outright with any NBA club. According to Charania, multiple teams are expected to have interest.
Sochan made 149 starts and averaged 27.3 minutes per game in his first three seasons with the Spurs, contributing 11.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per contest during that time.
Although he’s a solid, versatile defender who earned a regular spot in Gregg Popovich‘s and Mitch Johnson‘s rotations for several years, Sochan has struggled with his shot, having made just 28.7% of his career three-pointers. It also never seemed as if the Spurs entirely figured out how they wanted to use him — at various times, he was deployed as a point guard, a small-ball center, and almost everything in between.
Jared Weiss of The Athletic reported after the trade deadline that Sochan wasn’t expected to negotiate a buyout with the Spurs and would likely finish the season in San Antonio, but the 22-year-old’s plans changed within the past week as he remained out of Johnson’s rotation, Weiss tweets.
It will be interesting to see whether Sochan draws more interest from playoff contenders looking for help in the short term or from retooling teams who view him as more than just a rest-of-season addition. The Spurs reportedly discussed possible Sochan deals with the Suns, Bulls, and Knicks prior to the deadline, though it’s unclear whether all of those teams had legitimate interest in him as a player or were intrigued by his expiring contract for cap-related reasons.
Because he’s in his fourth NBA season, Sochan technically remains two-way eligible, so that could be an option if he isn’t offered a standard contract or wants to join a team without a 15-man roster spot available.
Shocking move… He must of asked out…
He was out of the rotation, but was an injury away from being able to get a chance to shine on a playoff team…
A chance to shine on a lower ranked team than Spurs may of been his want… to build his first contract after his rookie…
Will be a defensive boon to whomever picks him up… A bit like Vando in LA… he will need to get that outside shot working…
Yes, he must have.
Yup. Spurs tend to do right by their players, so even though he would’ve been good insurance to have and an effective situational defender for the playoffs I’m sure they felt compelled to grant his wish.
Stuff like this is one of the reasons why I chose to become a fan as someone who lives nowhere near Texas nor has even been to Texas. I’m not suggesting other teams treat their players like dirt, but the Spurs have always been a cut above in terms of doing stuff like this.
It’s also a smart move to attract free agents and get players to extend. When you can’t compete in terms of dollars nor destination, the little things help.
Offensively challenged in a offensive oriented league.
Exactly.
Unless I’m not aware of any off court stuff, or injuries, multiple teams should jump on this. I am hoping the Heat would, but there are a lot of teams that could use help at smallball 5 or defensively at the 4
Lakers should be one of those teams, off the top of my head
I really liked him in his draft, despite offensive issues. Needs a good fot woth shooting and versatility around him. Was used outnofnposition at times, but I’ve been a little burnt out these last couple of years, so I haven’t paid nearly as much attention as I generally would
His opportunities are limited because he has no game. They played him at a bunch of different positions trying to figure out what he was good at because he can’t score the ball.
He’s a poor man’s Kenneth Faried if I’ve ever seen one yet doesn’t rebound like the former nugget lol.
By the time Faried turned 30 was out of the league and I don’t think this kid will last that long.
Lakers, Memphis?
Why? Isn’t he redundant with a couple other guys LA already has?
Don’t get this at all. If Jeremy and team fell apart. He should have been moved at TD. This is a 2way game. His shooting can improve. Rebounding and playing D is important too.
Teams that need talent should pick him up.
Nets, Kings, Bucks, Jazz, Clippers, Bulls, Hornets all could use a 22 yr old. Who playsD and rebounds. I guess a guy like Rodman or Wallace couldn’t play today ???? If he clears waivers love to see Knicks grab him. Its what Towns needs next to him.
His shooting “can improve”? But it hasn’t.
Still avg more than Dra. He shoots 73% FT you got any clue what that means. Or 54% 2pt. 12 pts a gm.
This-how F n dumb your statement is ….
More than that Spurs are going into the playoffs. Having a bench guy that plays defense is valuable so which team picks him up is improving for the playoffs. Defense wins in the playoffs.
2Way sport lol. I just can’t believe at 22 they let him go. They should of traded him or trade him at draft. Like you said. They will need a D guy in playoffs.
Bucks should jump on this. They have no picks.
Bye Felicia
One less reckless driver to worry about at the alamo
Put more time into his hair color than his jumper. Later bro
GSW has both a regular roster and a 2way spot open…please…instant Kuminga replacement…
Who should jump all over this is either Kings or Lakers. Both need defense. Warriors need offense.
Lakers yes. Teams with no picks should be all over this. You know his stats are better than Drays man. 22 yrs old.
I think he would fit with the lakers really well. I hope he figures it out.
Why? He’s strictly a hustle guy yet the hustle numbers don’t show up on the stat sheet.
When he was playing full-time a couple of years ago, as a non-scorer, he needs more than six rebounds a game. Especially at 6-8 playing power forward a lot.
Defense? Half a steal per game, no blocks per game?
There’s nowhere for this guy to get meaningful minutes. He’s had his opportunity and it’s over.
Perhaps a team takes a flyer on him for a couple of dollars but it’s off to Europe you go young man. Training camp invite next fall, gets cut, and sayonara baby.
No steals or blocks because he stays in front of his man and doesn’t take chances.
Yes, Chucktoad, and that makes him a “solid, versatile defender.”
I guess the Spurs CAN make bad decisions
Interesting to do this when the Spurs didn’t trade him because they wanted good value for him and nobody offered what the Spurs wanted
Could also be if they were going to trade him they understandably wanted good value, but if they couldn’t get said value they were content with releasing him and letting him choose his next destination as a courtesy. And if there was ever a team I could see doing that, it would be the Spurs.
Yes shea, I think that’s a courtesy many teams give players today. “Go find a situation you like and we’ll make it happen.”
Good value?
They just wanted someone that would take the contract !!
Any team could probably have him for a heavily protected, top 59, second round pick.
No one was willing.
A play in team would pick him up. Contenders don’t need, OKC full, Hou don’t need, Nuggets a 10 day maybe because Watson and Gordon out, Detroit full.
Clippers can continue youth movement and give him minutes.
Knicks were interested in trading for him but the Spurs rejected their offer. The Knicks are definitely a possibility as well
jamar, what was the Knick’s offer? What is the offer you say the Knicks rejected?