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Head coach Mitch Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs speaks on Jeremy Sochan out of the rotation before he was waived.
The San Antonio Spurs officially closed a chapter this week, waiving former lottery pick Jeremy Sochan and allowing the versatile forward to become an unrestricted free agent after four seasons with the franchise.
The decision ends a tenure that included growth, experimentation, and increasing tension as Sochan fell out of the rotation late this season. ESPN insider Shams Charania first reported the move, noting that Sochan is drawing interest from multiple teams around the league.
For Sochan, the moment marked the first true professional crossroads of his NBA career.
“I’m not going to lie to you and say it was rainbows and sunshine all day,” Sochan said in January. “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.”
Spurs Close the Book on a Former Top-10 Pick
Selected ninth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, Sochan was initially viewed as a foundational piece for San Antonio’s rebuild — a high-motor, multi-positional defender capable of guarding up and down the lineup.
Over his first three seasons, Sochan started 149 games and averaged 27.3 minutes per contest, producing 11.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. His defensive versatility earned trust early from longtime coach Gregg Popovich and later from interim head coach Mitch Johnson.
But offensive inconsistency and ongoing role uncertainty ultimately pushed Sochan out of the Spurs’ regular rotation by December. San Antonio experimented with him as a point-forward, a small-ball center, and a defensive specialist, yet never fully settled on a long-term fit.
That ambiguity followed him into the final months of his Spurs tenure.
Sochan Reflects on Sacrifice, Identity, and Moving On
GettyJeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs falls into the New York Knicks bench during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden.
Despite the disappointment, Sochan framed his exit through a wider lens — one shaped by constant movement and adaptation throughout his life.
“I can think of all the excuses, why and the reasons,” Sochan said. “But at the end of the day, it’s important for me to remember who I am.”
“Even if you can’t see the light, I think if you keep working and put your efforts and your mind in the right place, you’re always going to find it somewhere,” he added.
Sochan, who left home at 15 to pursue basketball opportunities, emphasized how meaningful his time in San Antonio had been.
“When I think about my whole life, I’ve been moving all over the place,” he said. “This is the first time I’ve been somewhere for more than a year since then. And it’s been four years. I feel like I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this city. I’m going to put all of that into wherever I am.”
Spurs Maintain Respectful Tone in Departure
Before the waiver, Johnson made clear that Sochan’s professionalism never wavered — even after being removed from the rotation.
“He’s been asked to be the role of defensive disruptor and to be a versatile piece offensively for us, and nothing has changed in that regard,” Johnson said before Wednesday’s 136-108 rout of the Los Angeles Lakers, where Sochan did not even see mop-up minutes.
“I know Jeremy is wanting to play more, like many of the people that aren’t playing as much — and I’m glad that he wants that,” Johnson added. “That’s the competitive mindset you have to have to be successful in this league.”
Johnson acknowledged the difficult reality of the decision while praising Sochan’s response.
“As of right now, he has not been in the rotation and that’s a decision that I’ve made,” Johnson said. “I expect Jeremy to continue to come to work every day, bring your professionalism and be a great teammate. He’s done exactly that.”
What Comes Next
With his release, Sochan becomes an unrestricted free agent and is eligible to sign outright with any team. Still just 22, he offers defensive flexibility, positional size, and experience — traits that could appeal to teams seeking depth or a change-of-scenery project.
According to Jared Weiss of The Athletic, the Spurs have held trade talks with the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls and the Phoenix Suns. But no trade materialized.
For San Antonio, the move reflects a roster recalibration as the franchise continues shaping its future around a clearer developmental hierarchy.
For Sochan, it’s the first major pivot point of his NBA career — one he says he’s ready to attack with the same resolve that brought him to the league in the first place.
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
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