yardbarker
The Portland Trail Blazers have inked forward Jeremy Sochan to a one-year contract, according to ESPN. The deal adds a former lottery pick to a roster aiming for a deeper playoff run.
Sochan, selected ninth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs, spent over three seasons with the franchise. During his tenure in San Antonio, he posted averages of 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists across 212 regular-season games, with 149 starts. His shooting splits included 46.8% from the field and 28.7% from beyond the arc.
After being waived by the Spurs in February, Sochan joined the New York Knicks. In 16 regular-season appearances with the Knicks, he logged just 6.9 minutes per game, contributing 2.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists on 56.7% shooting from the floor. During the Knicks' championship run, he saw action in eight postseason contests, totaling 26 minutes and averaging 2.5 points.
Key Analysis
Sochan, now 23, will look to carve out a more significant role with a revamped Blazers squad. Portland's backcourt is stacked with playmakers like Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, Jrue Holiday, Shaedon Sharpe, and Scoot Henderson, leaving frontcourt depth as a priority. Standing 6-foot-8, Sochan provides insurance behind Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara, offering versatility and defensive potential. The one-year deal gives both parties flexibility, with Sochan aiming to showcase his skills and earn a larger contract next offseason.
Originally reported by yardbarker.