After being picked ninth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft and being a key part of the San Antonio Spurs' rebuild, the power forward has fallen out of the rotation and requested a trade.
The San Antonio Spurs have long been linked to several trade candidates this season, although it appears that their most likely move this winter will be to abandon a once-promising project.
Fans have long been divided on Jeremy Sochan. Is his physical play and eagerness to get under the skin of opponents "dirty," or does it make him an "enforcer" Is his offense "raw" with room to grow, or "limited" and one-dimensional?
Is he a foundational piece of the Spurs' rebuild, or a clear example of "the dynasty starts after you?"
Fans can take to Twitter, the comment section, or local sports bars to argue those points. A key fact: no matter how you perceive Sochan, Mitch Johnson has made up his mind, and Gregg Popovich's golden boy has fallen out of the rotation.
Jeremy Sochan to Search For Trade
Over the first three seasons of his career, Sochan was a project player who got 27 minutes per game, and he showed promise on offense while quickly becoming an elite defender.
As the Spurs upgrade from "rebuilding" to "contenting," giving a limited, albeit talented, player significant run is not a luxury they can afford. This season, Sochan is averaging only 13 minutes and has missed 19 games, many of which have been "coach's decision."
It's not easy to blame Sochan for wanting a bigger role, and the Spurs are willing to grant him just that. Only, it won't be in San Antonio.
“League sources say that Jeremy Sochan and his representation have received permission from the Spurs to explore the landscape for a potential new home via trade," reported NBA insider Marc Stein.
After limiting Sochan's play, his value has taken a massive hit on the trade market. Still, he is an expiring contract with two-way potential, so a rebuilding team might take a flier on him. Or a team looking for defensive-minded depth. Either way, it looks like Sochan is nearing the end of his Spurs tenure.
Hopefully, the Spurs can influence him in a bigger deal for a win-now player who better fits Johnson's vision for the team and can gel with Victor Wembanyama off the court like Sochan, as well as on the hardwood.