F Jeremy Sochan waived by Spurs, becomes free agent

The San Antonio Spurs waived Jeremy Sochan on Wednesday to permit the 22-year-old power forward to seek a fresh start as a free agent.

A frequent starter in past seasons, Sochan slipped out of coach Mitch Johnson's rotation and played a grand total of eight minutes over the Spurs' last dozen games.

Sochan is expected to attract multiple suitors, even though San Antonio's efforts to trade him before the Feb. 5 deadline didn't lead to a deal, ESPN reports.

For the season, Sochan averaged 4.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 12.8 minutes over 28 games off the bench for the Spurs. He was a double-digit scorer in each of his first three seasons.

Johnson praised Sochan's professionalism on Tuesday ahead of the Spurs' 136-108 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

"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. "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. That's the competitive mindset that you have to have to be successful in this league."

The No. 9 overall draft pick out of Baylor in 2022, Sochan was a member of the 2022-23 All-Rookie Team. Former Spurs coach Gregg Popovich briefly deployed him at point guard in 2023-24 during superstar center Victor Wembanyama's rookie season.

The improving Spurs were a 22-win team in each of Sochan's first two years but sat second in the Western Conference standings before Wednesday's game against the Golden State Warriors.