Jeremy Sochan Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Southwest Notes: Murphy, Green, Sochan, Castle, J. Smith

January 18th, 2025 at 8:26pm CST by Arthur Hill

Pelicans small forward Trey Murphy has developed into more than just an outside shooting threat during his fourth NBA season, writes Rod Walker of NOLA. Murphy, who is starting regularly while Brandon Ingram is sidelined with an injury, is averaging a career-high 21.5 points per game this season. He has also improved other aspects of his game, posting career-best numbers for rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.

“I probably would have identified him as playing more like a specialist a year ago,” Utah coach Will Hardy said. “But I see his game expanding, which I see as a great sign for the Pelicans and (coach) Willie (Green). Trey is a heckuva player. He’s an elite shooter and you can tell the shooting has added confidence in the rest of his game.”

Walker notes that Murphy has scored at least 30 points in two of the last four games. He has also collected 10 rebounds twice, one short of his career high, and saved two games with late defensive plays — a steal against Chicago and a block against Dallas. In addition, he set a franchise record by making 52 straight free throws before that streak ended Friday night.

“The sky’s the limit,” Dejounte Murray said. “It’s all about opportunity in the NBA. He got his opportunity and he’s not playing with it. He’s showing that he works at his game. He’s showing that he’s a confident guy and he’s also showing that he’s down for the challenge and opportunity.”

There’s more from the Southwest Division:

The Mavericks are among the teams with interest in Pelicans veteran Javonte Green, sources tell Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal (subscription required). Dallas is exploring available wings on the trade market, Afseth adds, and Green is appealing because he can provide help on both ends of the court. A report earlier today said numerous teams are eyeing Green, who could be acquired via the minimum salary exception.
Jeremy Sochan has been ruled out of Sunday’s game at Miami, but the Spurs expect him back on the court soon, per Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. Acting coach Mitch Johnson said Friday that Sochan is “doing great” and is “very close” to returning from a back bruise. Rookie guard Stephon Castle, who replaced Sochan in the starting lineup, is averaging 23 PPG over his last three games. “As a group, we feel confident in the poise that he has and we trust him to go make those plays,” Harrison Barnes said of Castle. “They’re going to put differing matchups on him or whatever, but we him to be aggressive and we need to play offense through him at times.”
Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. has decided against having surgery on his fractured left hand, coach Ime Udoka told reporters before tonight’s game (Twitter link from Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle). Udoka adds that letting the injury heal naturally may add a week or so to the recovery process.

Spurs Notes: Wembanyama, Jokic, Winning, Jones, Sochan

January 5th, 2025 at 12:20pm CST by Rory Maher

The Spurs defeated the Nuggets in a close game in Denver on Friday, then the Nuggets returned the favor in Saturday’s overtime victory in San Antonio. Star big men Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic had spectacular showings in the back-to-back, with Wembanyama averaging 27.5 points, 20.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 blocks per game, compared to Jokic’s 43.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, 9.5 assists and 2.0 steals.

According to ESPN.com, Jokic and Wembanyama expressed mutual admiration for each other after Friday’s matchup.

“I think he’s better this year than last year, and I think he’s going to get even better,” Jokic said of Wembanyama. “I think he’s a special player. I think he’s one of a kind and is going to be remembered forever.”

“Multiple-time MVP, soon to be MVP again,” Wembanyama said of Jokic. “Can’t ask for a better way to get better.”

Here’s more on the Spurs:

Wembanyama’s name is in the NBA record books for several statistical accomplishments not even halfway through his second season. Michael C. Wright of ESPN shares the top moments of the French center’s first 100 games.
As impressive as Wembanyama’s highlight reel already is, he says there’s only one thing that really matters to him, per Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News (subscriber link). “Some people care about highlights, but we care here about the record, the win or the loss,” said Wembanyama, who turned 21 years old on Saturday. “It is the only stat that matters.” After finishing last season with a 22-60 record, the Spurs are currently 18-17, the No. 9 seed in the West.
Point guard Tre Jones looks like he’s finally back to full strength after battling shoulder and ankle injuries for much of 2024/25, according to Orsborn (subscription required). Jones, who has missed 18 games thus far, played both ends of the recent back-to-back, finishing with nine points (on 4-of-6 shooting) and six assists in 18 minutes on Saturday. “Tre has been great,” Harrison Barnes said. “His ability to pick up the other team, the other point guard, apply pressure and then offensively he gives us another ball handler who’s able to get to the paint, able to find guys and get extra plays for us. He’s been great in that regard.”
Third-year forward Jeremy Sochan was sidelined for Friday’s contest, Orsborn notes in another subscriber-only story, but the back injury that kept him on the shelf turned out to be minor, as he was able to suit up on Saturday. Sochan will be eligible for a rookie scale extension in the offseason.

Spurs Notes: Roster, Possible New Arena, Trades, Sochan

December 20th, 2024 at 9:53pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

The Spurs’ roster was fully healthy for the first time all season for Thursday’s 133-126 overtime victory over Atlanta, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPN.

“It felt like a big relief,” All-Defensive center Victor Wembanyama said. “Even before the game, I think some of my teammates were still questionable. So we were like, ‘Is it the day, finally?'”

Capitalizing on the team’s surprising health edge, acting San Antonio head coach Mitch Johnson started Devin Vassell for the first time all year, moving Julian Champagnie to the bench for the first time since November 4. Vassell responded with 23 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

The story, of course, was Wembanyama, who led his team with 42 points, along with six rebounds, five assists and four rejections.

“I thought he imposed his will in a positive way tonight,” Johnson said. “You can see it physically just because of his sheer size when he’s demonstrative, playing with conviction, where he is going to get the ball to the spots he wants to get to and nothing’s going to stop him.”

San Antonio has gone 14-13 thus far this season, but in the competitive West, that’s only good for the No. 11 seed.

There’s more out of Alamo City:

A grassroots community group in San Antonio, COPS/Metro Alliance, has come out in opposition to the city using any of its own dollars for a proposed new Spurs arena downtown, per Molly Smith of The San Antonio Express-News. “Whoever says that this is a done deal I think is crazy, because it’s not a done deal,” said Sonia Rodriguez, leader of COPS/Metro Alliance.
In a Southwest Division mailbag, The Athletic’s Kelly Iko says he’s skeptical the Spurs will be open to offloading many of their rotational pieces in trades this season. Iko does suggest that – if the offer is good enough from a title hopeful – San Antonio could probably be convinced to part with Vassell or Champagnie. However, the club’s current roster seems capable of qualifying for this year’s play-tournament, Iko posits, adding that oft-injured veteran center Zach Collins, who is owed $34.7MM through 2025/26, may be the most tradable current Spur.
In addressing the Spurs’ current starting five, Iko advocates for a shooting-oriented group made up of point guard Chris Paul, Vassell, Champagnie, forward Harrison Barnes, and Wembanyama. Iko cautions, however, that relegating forward Jeremy Sochan and Castle to bench roles would naturally limit their defensive contributions to the roster.

Southwest Notes: Kennard, Welts, Mavs, Murray, Spurs

December 18th, 2024 at 10:31am CST by Luke Adams

Grizzlies sharpshooter Luke Kennard has seen his playing time decline this season to 19.7 minutes per game, the second-lowest mark of his career, and was a DNP-CD last Friday for the first time in 2024/25.

However, Kennard earned praise from head coach Taylor Jenkins for providing Memphis with excellent minutes off the bench against the Lakers on Sunday. Although the Grizzlies lost the game by six points, Kennard was a +18 in 18 minutes of action, knocking down three 3-pointers.

“I give him a lot of credit,” Jenkins said (Twitter video link via Law Murray of The Athletic). “While the group’s been playing well and he was out of the rotation, he’s been putting in all the work. I thought he gave us a spark. It wasn’t even (just) him knocking down some shots. The way he was moving, he was cutting, he was driving, touching the paint, facilitating — just kind of ignited our offense.”

Among the three Grizzlies players who are on expiring contracts this season, Kennard has the highest cap hit at $9.25MM, so if his role doesn’t increase and Memphis looks to make an in-season move on the trade market, he could emerge as a candidate to be dealt by February 6.

Here’s more from around the Southwest:

The Mavericks have hired former Warriors president and Hall of Fame executive Rick Welts as their new CEO, reports Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News (subscription required). Welts, who is replacing Cynt Marshall when she retires on December 31, will oversee the Mavs’ business operations, while general manager Nico Harrison continues to oversee the basketball operations, but the two departments will “work closely together whenever possible,” Townsend explains. Both Welts and Harrison will report to Mavs governor Patrick Dumont.
Mavericks stars Luka Doncic (left heel contusion) and Kyrie Irving (right shoulder soreness) didn’t participate in practice on Tuesday, but neither injury appears to be a cause for major concern, says Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal (Substack link).
A disastrous season in New Orleans that has seen the Pelicans lose 22 of their first 27 games has been made even worse by the struggles of offseason addition Dejounte Murray, writes William Guillory of The Athletic. The Pelicans gave up a significant trade package to acquire Murray from Atlanta in the hopes of solidifying their point guard position, but through his first 10 games, he has shot just 36.4% from the floor and 28.1% on three-pointers, both far below his career rates. Murray has also averaged a career-high 4.2 turnovers per game.
Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan appears to have reclaimed his spot in the team’s starting lineup, writes Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News (subscription required), which means that rookie Stephon Castle may no longer have a place in the starting five. Castle came off the bench on Sunday for the first time since November 4 and struggled in his new role, scoring just two points on 1-of-8 shooting. San Antonio was outscored by 23 points during his 23 minutes on the court.

Injury Notes: Sochan, Embiid, Henderson, R. Williams, Wade

December 3rd, 2024 at 10:37am CST by Luke Adams

Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan appears set to take on the court on Tuesday night for the first time in nearly a month, having been listed as probable for San Antonio’s NBA Cup game in Phoenix, tweets Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News.

Sochan has been sidelined since November 4, missing the Spurs’ past 13 games due to a fractured thumb that required surgery.

The former ninth overall pick appeared to be taking an impressive step forward prior to the injury. In his six full games this season, he averaged 17.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 32.2 minutes per night, with a 50.6% field goal percentage.

The Spurs have been playing well lately with rookie Stephon Castle starting in place of Sochan, having won five of their past six games, so we’ll see if Sochan reclaims his spot in the lineup upon his return or if acting head coach Mitch Johnson has him come off the bench.

Here are a few more injury-related notes from around the NBA:

Sixers star Joel Embiid remains listed as out for Tuesday’s game in Charlotte due to left knee injury management and personal reasons, tweets Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The team hasn’t provided any sort of timeline for Embiid’s return, but this will be the fifth consecutive contest the big man has missed.
Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson underwent an MRI this week on the quad injury that has forced him to miss three games, including the past two, tweets Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report. However, that MRI didn’t show anything more than a contusion, so Henderson is considered day-to-day and is listed as questionable to play in Los Angeles on Tuesday vs. the Clippers. Blazers center Robert Williams, however, didn’t make the trip to L.A. and will miss a fourth straight game while he remains in the concussion protocol, Highkin adds.
Cavaliers forward Dean Wade, who has been unavailable for the past six games due to a left ankle sprain, is listed as questionable to play vs. Washington on Tuesday and was in attendance for today’s shootaround, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (Twitter links). According to Fedor, Wade – whose +12.9 net rating ranks second among Cavs players – wanted to play on Sunday vs. Boston and went through a 3-on-3 workout on Monday in the hopes of showing Cleveland’s training staff that he’s ready to return.

Southwest Notes: Edey, Smart, Sochan, Rockets

November 29th, 2024 at 4:54pm CST by Luke Adams

Grizzlies center Zach Edey, who is out for a sixth consecutive game on Friday due to a left ankle sprain, is moving closer to a return, as Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal writes. Head coach Taylor Jenkins addressed the rookie’s status ahead of Friday’s matchup with New Orleans.

“With Zach, I think probably end of the week or middle of next week,” Jenkins said. “We’re starting to get him ramped up a little bit more on the court, so hopefully it’s on the shorter term.”

Jenkins clarified after the game that his reference to the “end of the week or middle of next week” was about Edey’s ramp-up process rather than his projected return date (Twitter link via Cole).

The Grizzlies are back in action on Sunday vs. Indiana before heading on the road to face Dallas on Tuesday and then returning home to host Sacramento next Thursday. Based on Jenkins’ comments, it sounds like could make it back by the end of that stretch if all goes well with his ramp-up.

This year’s No. 9 overall pick had been playing some of his best basketball prior to the injury. In his last four full games before getting hurt, he averaged 13.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks in 23.8 minutes per game off the bench, with a .581/.800/.923 shooting line and a +26.6 net rating.

Here’s more from around the Southwest:

Marcus Smart had his best game of the season – and one of his best outings since joining the Grizzlies – on Wednesday vs. Detroit, racking up 25 points, five assists, four rebounds, and three steals in just 20 minutes of action. As Cole details in a separate story for The Memphis Commercial Appeal, injuries have limited Smart to just 30 total appearances since he arrived in Memphis, but Wednesday’s performance was a reminder of why the Grizzlies traded for him and what he can bring to the team.
Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan participated in 5-on-5 work on Friday, another sign that he’s close to returning from the thumb surgery that has sidelined him since November 4, tweets Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. “I think we’re going to have our full team finally in (Sacramento on Sunday) or at least in Phoenix (on Tuesday), hopefully,” point guard Tre Jones told reporters.
Through 20 games, the Rockets hold a 14-6 record and control the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. With three days off before Sunday’s showdown with the No. 1 Thunder, head coach Ime Udoka spoke about what he’s liked from his team so far this season and areas where he still sees room for improvement. “Offensively, I think we’re doing a great job on the glass. We wanted to be No. 1 at that,” Udoka said, per Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle (subscription required). “I think our pace can improve and it has. It was a little slow early. The shooting, we wanted to become a better shooting team, and we’d have some more wins now due to that. But nobody tries to miss shots on purpose. Guys take the right ones, and we can live with the result.”

Southwest Notes: Sochan, Doncic, Gafford, Grizzlies

November 27th, 2024 at 8:42pm CST by Arthur Hill

Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan is nearing his return from thumb surgery, writes Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. Sochan, who has been out of action since fracturing his left thumb in a November 4 game, told reporters tonight that he expects to be back on the court soon.

“I’ve been wanting to play since last week, but I still got to stay patient and just follow protocol,” he said. “But it’s going to be sooner than later. So, I think it’s going to be days instead of months, so that’s the most important thing.”

Before the injury, Sochan was averaging a career-high 15.4 points through seven games, along with 7.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals per night. The team hasn’t set a definite timetable for him to resume playing, but interim head coach Mitch Johnson suggested he “could potentially be ahead of schedule.”

“The medical team, performance staff have done a great job,” Johnson added. “He’s been able to do some things in terms of running and staying in shape and I know we’ve heard all positive feedback.”

Johnson also announced that Devin Vassell was cleared to return for tonight’s game against the Lakers, Orsborn adds. Vassell sat out the last five games with a bruised bone in his left knee.

There’s more from the Southwest Division:

Mavericks star Luka Doncic, who is sidelined with a sprained right wrist, was able to go through a pregame workout tonight, according to Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal. The team will practice on Friday, when more clarity should be provided about Doncic’s availability for a weekend road trip. “He’s doing his individual workouts,” coach Jason Kidd said. “Everything I’ve heard or seen is trending in the right direction.”
Mavericks center Daniel Gafford will consider joining forces with Doncic at next year’s EuroBasket as a naturalized player on the Slovenian national team, Afseth adds in a separate story. “I think it’d be great. We already have a good relationship, but doing something like that could take it to the next level,” Gafford said. “It would give me a chance to see his background, learn about where he came from, and understand how he started his professional career. That would help us connect more.”
The Grizzlies are the healthiest they’ve been all season after Ja Morant returned Monday following an eight-game absence due to a hip injury, notes Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. Even though Morant missed tonight’s contest with a knee contusion, there’s renewed optimism that the team is ready to make a run. “We’re clicking right now, and we got to ride that wave until it is out and for as long as we can,” Marcus Smart said. “I like the direction that we are headed.”

Spurs Notes: Popovich, Sochan, Vassell, Collins

November 8th, 2024 at 8:57am CST by Arthur Hill

Gregg Popovich missed his fourth straight game for health reasons on Thursday, but Victor Wembanyama is optimistic that he’ll be able to return soon, according to Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. The Spurs announced shortly before Saturday’s game that their 75-year-old coach was “under the weather.” Little information has been released publicly about his condition, and Wembanyama said players haven’t been told much either.

“We don’t hear a lot from Pop,” he told reporters after Thursday’s victory over Portland. “They keep us informed as much as we’re allowed to know. So, I’m not worried about him. I know he’s going to come back soon.”

Orsborn points out that Popovich has missed games before due to health reasons in his 29 years with the team, but never more than two in a row. Interim coach Mitch Johnson, who has guided the team to a 2-2 record since taking over, wasn’t able to provide any new information Thursday on Popovich’s condition.

“I would say he’s doing good, and we have been talking,” Johnson said. “I have had my hands full with this in trying to stay above water. So, have not talked details and I am not sure. … No details.”

There’s more from San Antonio:

No timetable has been set for Jeremy Sochan to return after he underwent surgery Wednesday for a left thumb fracture, Orsborn states in the same piece. He was off to a career-best start to the season before getting injured Monday, averaging 15.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals through seven games. “We will be conservative and safe with it, but we will have a better idea, I would say, in a few weeks,” Johnson said. Rookie guard Stephon Castle has replaced Sochan in the starting lineup.
Johnson told reporters, including Orsborn, that he’s looking forward to the scoring boost Devin Vassell will provide with his expected return, which will likely happen Saturday. Vassell, who is recovering from offseason foot surgery, averaged a career-high 19.5 PPG last season. “There is probably a level of scoring, a level of shot-making, shooting, that the other team would have him pretty early on their scouting report,” Johnson said. “So, any time you get a guy like that, it helps everybody.”
Backup center Zach Collins appears more comfortable with his three-point shot this season, Orsborn adds. He was 2-of-3 from beyond the arc while scoring a season-high 14 points on Thursday, and he’s connecting at 43.8% from long distance after hitting just 32% in 2023/24. “We just need space right now,” Collins said. “Everyone needs to shoot more, not just me. We feel like our offense runs a little more fluid when we are all spaced out. More threes are probably going to come my way, so I need to be ready to shoot it.”

Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan Fractures Thumb, Needs Surgery

November 5th, 2024 at 5:46pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Spurs swingman Jeremy Sochan has a left thumb fracture that will require surgery this week, ESPN’s Marc Spears relays via a team press release (Twitter link).

The fracture is in the proximal phalanx of his thumb. Sochan suffered the injury during the second quarter of the team’s game against the Clippers on Monday.

The team didn’t offer a timetable for Sochan’s recovery. A 2022 lottery pick, the third-year forward has gotten off to a strong start. He’s averaging a career-best 15.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists while starting all seven of San Antonio’s games. He also has a reputation as a defensive pest who can get under opponents’ skin.

The Spurs experimented with Sochan at the point last season but he’s been utilized on the wing and as an undersized power forward this season.

It’s been a rough beginning for the Spurs. San Antonio is now down two starters, as Devin Vassell is still rehabbing from offseason foot surgery. Key backup guard Tre Jones has only appeared in one game due to an ankle sprain. Head coach Gregg Popovich is away from the team indefinitely due to health concerns.

With Sochan out, lottery pick Stephon Castle or sixth man Keldon Johnson could move into the starting five.

Southwest Notes: Williamson, Ingram, Hawkins, Collins, Sochan

November 3rd, 2024 at 5:33pm CST by Dana Gauruder

With Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy, CJ McCollum and Herbert Jones all sidelined due to injuries, there’s even more pressure on Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram to carry the Pelicans, The Athletic’s William Guillory writes.

New Orleans dropped three straight before defeating Indiana on Friday. Williamson and Ingram combined for 60 points and 17 assists in that victory.

“People always try to tell us that we can’t hoop together,” Williamson said. “Me and him just want to have fun and make it happen. That’s what basketball is all about.”

However, Williamson was a late scratch himself on Sunday due to right hamstring tightness, the team tweets.

We have more from the Southwest Division:

Jordan Hawkins entered Sunday’s action with a 17.3 PPG scoring average in his second NBA season. His Pelicans teammates compare his offensive skills to Hall of Famer Ray Allen, according to Christian Clark of the New Orleans Times Picayune. “He’s got a pretty release,” McCollum said. “It’s fast. It’s a lot like Ray Allen. He always seems to be on balance.” Williamson agrees: “Me and him talk about it a lot. I tell him it reminds me of Ray Allen. Being able to catch and shoot on the move, whether you’re facing the basket or not. Or just a spot-up shot.”
Spurs big man Zach Collins has been fined $2,000 by the NBA for flopping, according to the league (Twitter link). Collins was assessed the flopping fine after a post-game review of a play in which Minnesota’s Julius Randle drove to the basket and made contact with Collins.
Jeremy Sochan has been getting under opponents’ skin. The Spurs believe Sochan has been unburdened this season because he’s no longer tasked with playing the point, according to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News. “It’s part of his game,” center Victor Wembanyama said. “It can also be beneficial sometimes.”