The Chicago Bulls had a golden opportunity to add a versatile, defensive-minded wing in Jeremy Sochan - and they let it slip away.
After reaching a buyout agreement with the San Antonio Spurs on February 11, Sochan hit the open market and quickly landed with the New York Knicks. It was a low-risk move for New York, signing the 22-year-old to a veteran’s minimum deal prorated for the rest of the season.
For a player with Sochan’s pedigree and upside, that’s a bargain. And for a team like Chicago - desperate for size, defense, and long-term pieces - it’s the kind of move that should’ve been a no-brainer.
Let’s be clear: Sochan isn’t the same player who started 149 games over his first three seasons in San Antonio. His 2025-26 campaign saw a steep drop in minutes and production.
In 28 appearances this season, he didn’t start a single game and averaged just 12.8 minutes a night. That’s a far cry from the 11.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists he posted as a full-time starter in his second year.
But context matters. Sochan didn’t suddenly forget how to play.
He was simply the odd man out in a Spurs rotation that’s now built around Victor Wembanyama, veteran Harrison Barnes, and the emergence of Julian Champagnie. Add in a crowded backcourt full of young, high-upside guards, and Sochan’s role vanished.
That’s where the Bulls could’ve stepped in.
Chicago has been crying out for a player like Sochan - a 6-foot-8 forward who can guard multiple positions, make smart plays, and bring some much-needed length and defensive versatility. Right now, the Bulls are fielding a rotation that’s undersized and underwhelming on the defensive end. Outside of Alex Caruso, there’s very little bite in their perimeter defense, and they’re often giving up size across multiple matchups.
Sochan wouldn’t have fixed everything overnight, but he would’ve addressed a glaring need. And he would’ve come at a price that’s hard to beat.
The Bulls were anything but quiet at the trade deadline. Executive VP of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas pulled off seven deals, flipping six players and bringing in seven new faces along with nine second-round picks.
That’s a flurry of activity from a front office that’s often been criticized for standing pat. But even with all that movement, they missed on a player who could’ve been part of the solution - not just a temporary fix.
Sure, Jaden Ivey and Rob Dillingham - two of the Bulls’ deadline acquisitions - have long-term potential. But Ivey is heading into restricted free agency and will command a significantly larger contract than Sochan, who’s also on track for RFA but came at a fraction of the cost.
And here’s the kicker: the Spurs didn’t get anything in return for Sochan. That means Chicago, armed with a fresh haul of second-round picks, likely could’ve landed him for a modest price before the buyout. Even one or two of those picks might’ve been enough to get it done.
Instead, Sochan heads to a Knicks team that’s already strong defensively and just got even deeper. Meanwhile, the Bulls are left with another question mark in a season full of them.
This wasn’t about chasing a star. This was about recognizing value, identifying fit, and making a smart, forward-thinking move. Sochan, even amid a down year, still offers the kind of two-way potential that teams covet - especially at a position where the Bulls are thin.
For a franchise trying to claw its way out of the middle, these are the types of moves that matter. And this time, Chicago missed.