Why the Knicks Need to Get Jeremy Sochan’s Role Right - and Learn from Their Yabusele Misstep
Jeremy Sochan’s arrival in New York isn’t likely to shake up the Knicks’ rotation overnight. But make no mistake: he’s going to get his shot.
The key is making sure they don’t squander it by miscasting him - something they’ve done before with Guerschon Yabusele. If the Knicks try to shoehorn Sochan into a power forward role, they risk repeating history.
The smarter play? Let his defense do the talking at the five.
Let’s rewind for a second. When Yabusele joined the Knicks this past offseason, the expectation was that he’d slot in behind Karl-Anthony Towns and provide solid minutes at center.
That made sense. After all, Yabusele had just rejuvenated his NBA career with the Sixers, where he spent the bulk of his time - 73% of his minutes, in fact - playing the five.
He looked like a natural fit in that role.
But instead of building on that momentum, the Knicks pivoted. They shifted Yabusele into more of a power forward role, where he logged 68% of his minutes this season.
The result? A role that didn’t suit his strengths, and ultimately, a short-lived stint in New York that ended with him being moved at the trade deadline.
Now here comes Sochan, and the Knicks are at a similar crossroads.
Sochan’s early years in San Antonio tell a familiar story. The Spurs initially used him as a traditional four, and even experimented with him as a point forward.
He’s versatile, no doubt - but versatility only works when it’s used wisely. Over the past two seasons, San Antonio started giving him more run at center, where he’s played 41% of his minutes.
Still, with Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet ahead of him in the rotation, Sochan never got a real chance to own that role.
That’s where New York has an opportunity - and a risk. Sochan isn’t a floor-spacer.
He’s not going to stretch defenses with his shooting. But what he can do is defend, and defend well.
That alone makes him a viable option at the five in Mike Brown’s system.
Brown’s philosophy is clear when it comes to centers: rim-run or space the floor - and defend like your job depends on it. Unless you’re an elite offensive weapon, there’s no room for one-dimensional bigs.
Yabusele could shoot, but he couldn’t guard. Sochan is the opposite - not a shooter, but a high-level defender who can anchor a second unit or even close games in the right matchup.
So the path forward is straightforward. Don’t overthink it.
Don’t try to turn Sochan into something he’s not. Let him thrive where he’s most effective - as a defensive-minded center who brings energy, switchability, and toughness to the floor.
The Knicks have a chance to get this one right. But only if they learn from the past.