Jeremy Sochan’s one-year deal with Portland removes him from Knicks’ third-string center search

The Knicks’ ongoing search for a reliable third-string center has lost another name. Yahoo Sports reports that Jeremy Sochan is no longer an option for New York after signing a one-year deal with Portland, closing the door on a potential reunion after he briefly appeared in the Knicks’ rotation last season.

Sochan’s fit for the Knicks, at least in theory, centered on two things teams usually emphasize for end-of-bench minutes: defensive instincts and a willingness to play a role that does not demand heavy usage. Yahoo Sports also notes that Sochan already knew the Knicks’ organization from his time in New York, which can matter when teams try to add depth quickly and efficiently.

The stumbling block was always likely to be playing time. According to Yahoo Sports, Sochan appeared in only 16 regular-season games. That limited sample, paired with what the report describes as “glaring holes” in his overall game, suggests the Knicks were not simply replacing a starter, but trying to find a bigger body who could survive short stretches without changing the identity of the lineup.

The Knicks’ roster-building process, especially in the summer, has often been about finding the right kind of backup for the middle. When teams talk about a “third-string center,” they are usually referring to a player who can handle spot duties, protect the paint, and give the coaching staff options in late-game substitutions or during foul trouble.

If Sochan is off the table, New York’s search becomes narrower in both the practical and stylistic sense. Youth and defense may have been the two selling points, but the Knicks still need someone who can earn minutes. With Sochan reportedly committed elsewhere, the team will have to pivot to other available profiles.

For Portland, the reported one-year commitment indicates a preference for a flexible piece who can provide size and defensive effort without forcing the team to overcommit long-term. For Sochan personally, it also keeps him in a league environment where he can compete for more consistent court time, even if his role is not guaranteed to resemble a traditional starter.

What to watch next is whether the Knicks shift their center search toward players who have shown more dependable offensive production from the bench, or whether they double down on defense-first depth and accept that the margin for error will be smaller. The center market can change quickly, and the Knicks appear to be taking their time, but every removed name narrows the path to an answer.