Deni Avdija is about to have some new competition — and company — in Portland's frontcourt. ONE reports that Jeremy Sochan has agreed a one-year contract with the Trail Blazers as a free agent, giving the Israeli forward a fresh running mate up front for the coming season.
The move, first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania and confirmed by Sochan's agent Darius Visokkas, caps an eventful few months for the 23-year-old, who holds both Polish and American citizenship and was the ninth overall pick in the 2022 draft by San Antonio.
San Antonio waived Sochan on February 11, and just two days later he signed with the New York Knicks, who went on to win this year's NBA championship. Sochan finished the season as part of that title-winning roster before hitting free agency again this summer.
For his career, the 6-foot-8 forward averages 9.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists a game, built around the defensive versatility and relentless energy that made him a lottery pick out of Baylor. Portland is betting that profile fits alongside its existing young core.
That core now includes Avdija in a more prominent role than ever. The Israeli international has been one of the league's better value contracts since arriving from Washington in February 2024, playing on a four-year, $55 million rookie extension that runs through 2027-28.
Portland cannot formally negotiate a new extension with Avdija until the 2026 window opens on October 21, but the Trail Blazers are expected to make that a priority once they can, given how far his production has outpaced his modest cap number.
Sochan's arrival adds depth and defensive length to a frontcourt already anchored by Avdija, giving Portland another young, switchable forward as it looks to build out its roster around him heading into next season.
