When the New York Knicks acquired Jeremy Sochan in February, anticipation ran high due to his previous strong performance with the San Antonio Spurs, where he averaged 11.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists just two seasons ago. Known for his experience and physicality, Sochan was expected to bolster the Knicks’ lineup. However, in seven games with New York, he has struggled significantly, averaging only 0.8 points and 1.0 rebounds in 5.1 minutes per game.
Head coach Mike Brown has given Sochan opportunities, but the player has yet to make a convincing impact. The central issue remains Sochan’s inconsistent and unreliable shooting, which has been an ongoing problem throughout the current season. This shooting difficulty has directly contributed to the loss of his role on the court.
Rotation Changes and Competition with Mohamed Diawara
To evaluate Sochan’s potential, Brown removed Mohamed Diawara from the rotation temporarily, giving Sochan a chance to prove himself. Despite this, Sochan’s lack of production allowed Diawara to quickly reclaim his spot. Diawara has become one of the Knicks’ unexpected success stories, impressing with his three-point shooting and defensive versatility, attributed to his 6-foot-9 frame and 7-foot-4 wingspan.
In recent games, Sochan has mostly appeared during garbage time, while Diawara has delivered consistent contributions. Notably, Diawara scored 10 points with a team-best plus-25 rating against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 27, followed by 14 points in a dominant victory over the Spurs on March 1 and 9 points on efficient shooting against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 4. These performances underscored the coaching staff’s decisiveness in the player selection.
Declining Shooting Mechanics and Its Impact on Team Strategy
A practice session prior to the game against Oklahoma City made Sochan’s shooting struggles even more apparent. He repeatedly took three-point attempts, but only a few went in. Observers noted that the hitch in his shooting release, a flaw present in his game for a while, appeared to have worsened without any signs of improvement.
Who taught Jeremy Sochan to shoot like this 😭 pic.twitter.com/22y6plXzSM — BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) March 5, 2026
Brown’s offense relies heavily on proper floor spacing, and Sochan’s inability to shoot effectively from beyond the arc allows opposing defenses to ignore him, which narrows passing lanes for key players Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. While Sochan’s versatility on defense remains an asset, it is not enough to secure him regular playing time if he continues to be a liability on offense.
A small improvement in his shooting could alter the way defenses approach guarding him, creating more opportunities for himself and his teammates. This shift in defensive attention would enhance his overall value to the Knicks.
Potential for Growth Hinges on Shooting Improvements
The Knicks originally signed Jeremy Sochan for his multifaceted skills and potential impact on both ends of the floor. That potential has not yet manifested this season due to his shooting woes. For Sochan to contribute meaningfully, he must first address and improve this critical aspect of his game. If he can do so, it may reignite his trajectory with the New York team and provide the lineup with greater offensive balance.
Who taught Jeremy Sochan to shoot like this 😭 pic.twitter.com/22y6plXzSM
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) March 5, 2026
