As the NBA trade deadline looms, the Philadelphia 76ers find themselves in a familiar position: contenders with a few key questions to answer. The roster has held strong despite injuries and lineup shuffling, but if the front office wants to make a real push toward June, a move or two could be on the horizon. And while the rumor mill has been relatively quiet, a new name has quietly entered the conversation-Jeremy Sochan.
The San Antonio Spurs, deep in a rebuild centered around Victor Wembanyama, appear to be open to moving Sochan, a former lottery pick whose role has shrunk considerably this season. That development is surprising, given Sochan’s unique skill set and upside. But for a team like Philadelphia, it could be an opportunity worth exploring.
Why Sochan Makes Sense for Philly
At 22, Sochan is still very much in the developmental phase of his career, but he’s already shown flashes of being a high-level two-way contributor. He’s not a volume scorer, and his shooting range is still a work in progress, but his defensive instincts, versatility, and willingness to do the dirty work are exactly the kind of traits that playoff teams covet.
The Sixers, for all their talent, could use a jolt of defensive energy and switchability off the bench. Sochan offers that in spades.
He’s a strong on-ball defender who can guard multiple positions, and he brings a level of physicality and edge that could complement the team’s more polished stars. He’s the kind of player who doesn’t need the ball to make an impact-he just competes.
And while his offensive game is limited, it’s not without value. He’s improved his finishing around the rim and has shown flashes as a connective passer.
He’s not going to stretch the floor like a prototypical modern forward, but in a system where he’s not asked to be a primary creator or floor spacer, he can still be effective. In fact, Philadelphia’s current roster construction-with multiple floor spacers and ball-dominant stars-could actually mask some of Sochan’s offensive limitations and allow his strengths to shine.
A Low-Risk, High-Upside Swing
The Sixers have kicked the tires on a number of frontcourt options, but if they’re looking for a young, cost-controlled player who can grow with the core, Sochan deserves a long look. He’s not a rental. He’s a developmental piece with real upside, and his defensive ceiling alone could earn him minutes in a playoff rotation.
It’s also worth noting that his value may be at its lowest right now. With the Spurs reportedly cooling on his long-term fit, the asking price likely won’t be steep. For a team like Philadelphia, that’s an opportunity to buy low on a player who just a year ago was seen as a foundational piece in San Antonio.
Sochan’s time as a point-forward experiment under Gregg Popovich didn’t lead to wins, but it did accelerate his growth as a decision-maker. That kind of experience-handling the ball, running offense, making reads-is rare for a player his size and age. In the right environment, with a defined role and veteran leadership around him, Sochan could thrive.
Final Thought
This isn’t about chasing star power or swinging for the fences. It’s about rounding out a roster with a player who fits the identity the Sixers are trying to build: tough, versatile, and unafraid of big moments. Jeremy Sochan may not be the flashiest name on the market, but he might just be the kind of under-the-radar move that pays dividends in May and June.
If Philadelphia is serious about shoring up its depth and adding a piece with long-term potential, the Spurs’ forward should be firmly on their radar.