The San Antonio Spurs are expected to trade Jeremy Sochan before the February deadline, and they could make a deal with a recent partner, fixing a key mistake.
The 2024 NBA Draft went about as well as possible for the San Antonio Spurs. They picked up Stephon Castle fourth overall, and he has become the best player from the class.
They also traded the rights to Rob Dillingham for a first-round pick and a swap. He is yet to break into the Minnesota Timberwolves' starting lineup, so moving on from him worked out well for the Spurs.
In the second round, the Spurs added Harrison Ingram and Juan Nunez. Nunez is yet to arrive in the States, currently injured in the Spanish League, and Ingram remains a G League staple on a two-way contract.
Originally, the Spurs picked Australian forward Johnny Furphy 35th overall before trading him to the Indiana Pacers for cash and Nunez. While Furphy is far from a superstar, he would fit in very well with the Spurs' current roster.
Mock Trade Nabs Sharpshooter From Pacers
In his second NBA season, Furphy is shooting 35.6% from deep, with the expectation that he will improve with more playing time. He is a sneaky-good athlete and elite rebounder for his size. However, as the Pacers hope to return to their winning ways next season, Furphy could be traded for a more complete player, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
As Jeremy Sochan navigates asking for a trade, the Spurs are expected to move him this winter. A straight-up trade, swapping Sochan for Furphy, works for both teams.
Imagine, for a second, the implications of having Furphy on the roster. At some point, Julian Champagnie will replace Harrison Barnes in the starting lineup. At least, we hope. Champagnie is a sweet-shooting, athletic forward who can rebound shockingly well. Furphy fits the exact same mold, and with him coming off the bench alongside Dylan Harper, Keldon Johnson, and Luke Kornet, the Spurs will always have a shooter with hops on the court.
Even last season, as the Pacers tore through the Eastern Conference, their defense was ranked 13th in the NBA. By adding Sochan, Indiana should get a much-needed boost. On top of that, passers like Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell, and even Ben Sheppard would easily be able to find a cutting Sochan for easy buckets, so his shooting concerns wouldn't be a problem in Indiana.
Sochan's trade value is at an all-time low, but the Spurs could correct a draft mistake by flipping him to the Pacers this winter.