New York Knicks forward Jeremy Sochan looks forward to facing the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals.
However, his excitement has nothing to do with specific on-court matchups or whether he plays a key role. Sochan knows he will get a championship ring regardless of the series outcome.
Visit afrikasportnews.co.za for more information.
Knicks Jeremy Sochan Faces Former Spurs Squad in NBA Finals
Sochan started his career and the 2025-26 season in San Antonio. The Spurs took him with the No. 9 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, and he made the 2022-23 NBA All-Rookie Second Team. However, he played just 28 games on the Spurs this season, averaging 4.1 points, 1.0 assists, and 2.6 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per contest.
He played over 25.0 minutes per game in his first three seasons, but as San Antonio’s roster improved, Sochan’s role dwindled.
On Feb. 11, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Sochan and the Spurs agreed to a contract buyout. Charania announced the forward would sign with New York for the rest of the season just one day later. Despite looking for a bigger role, Sochan only played 6.9 minutes per contest in 16 regular-season games with the Knicks. His only playoff action has come in “garbage time” late in fourth quarters.
Sochan will receive a finals ring for his contributions to both teams, regardless of the outcome. However, he can certainly give his Knicks teammates and coaches some inside information on how to counter San Antonio’s many weapons.
“Whether I’m playing or not, it’s important to feed all the information I have. And I think I know quite a lot … Being that tall, [Victor Wembanyama] gets tired…Give him different looks and (not beat him up but) be very physical, and make him run … And he’s gonna get tired, he’s gonna have to take some plays off in my opinion,” said Sochan.
MORE: NBA World Reacts As Stephen A. Smith Demands ‘Credit’ for Knicks’ Impressive Run to the Finals
Victor Wembanyama won the Western Conference Finals MVP. He averaged 27.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.7 blocks in seven games against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
New York certainly has its hands full with the Spurs superstar, but Sochan spent 2 1/2 years with Wembanyama in San Antonio. He can tell his New York teammates about certain tendencies or moves that Wembanyama frequently uses.
Sochan has stayed on the bench for most of the postseason. This trend is likely to continue, but his familiarity with his former teammates makes him more valuable than ever in the 2026 playoffs. Sochan’s inside knowledge can help New York’s players and coaching staff prepare for anything San Antonio might throw at them.