The Phoenix Suns are rolling. With 30 wins already in the books before the calendar even flipped to February, they’ve outpaced expectations and put the rest of the Western Conference on notice. But even with that early success, the front office is still looking for ways to upgrade-particularly at the power forward spot.
That might seem surprising, especially given the recent contributions from Royce O’Neale. He’s stepped up in key moments and shown he can hold his own defensively while spacing the floor. But when you’re a team with real playoff aspirations, you’re always looking for that next piece to tighten the rotation.
Enter Jeremy Sochan.
According to league chatter, the Suns have checked in on the availability of the San Antonio Spurs forward. Sochan’s role in San Antonio has shrunk considerably-he’s averaging just over 13 minutes a night, a steep drop from the workload he handled in his first three NBA seasons. That kind of dip usually signals a shift in direction from the team, and it appears the Spurs are ready to explore options.
Sochan’s game is built on energy, defensive versatility, and a bit of edge-something San Antonio’s young roster has lacked at times. He’s not the kind of player who stuffs the stat sheet, but he brings an intensity that doesn’t always show up in the box score. In Phoenix, that kind of fire could be a perfect complement to the Suns’ current core.
From the Spurs’ perspective, a name to watch in return is Nick Richards. The Suns' backup big man has surfaced in trade talks, and it tracks with what San Antonio might be looking for.
With Victor Wembanyama expected to miss stretches throughout the season, the Spurs need a reliable, physical presence to soak up frontcourt minutes. Richards fits that mold better than Sochan does right now.
For Phoenix, Sochan represents a classic buy-low opportunity. He’s young, talented, and could thrive in the right system.
Head coach Jordan Ott has already built a defensive identity anchored by Dillon Brooks, and adding Sochan to that mix would only intensify the Suns’ ability to disrupt opposing offenses. The idea of Sochan and Brooks hounding wings and switching across multiple positions?
That’s the kind of defensive chaos that wins playoff games.
But here’s the catch-the financials.
Bringing in Sochan would push the Suns dangerously close to the second apron, a threshold they know all too well from the Kevin Durant era. That second apron doesn’t just mean a higher tax bill; it limits flexibility in a big way.
It restricts trades, signings, and even the ability to build out depth. And the Suns have been intentional this season about maintaining some breathing room under that line.
That’s why a move like this isn’t just about fit-it’s about timing and long-term cost. The current roster is built around Devin Booker, with enough versatility to pivot depending on who steps up. It’s a delicate balance, and adding a player like Sochan-while tempting-could tilt that balance in a direction that’s hard to recover from financially.
That’s also why someone like Grayson Allen may find himself on the trade block. His on-court fit has been solid, but his contract and the years left on it may not align with the Suns’ broader cap strategy. Moving Allen could be a way to make room for a player like Sochan without completely sacrificing flexibility.
Sochan is an intriguing target-no doubt about it. He’s the kind of gritty, high-motor player who could thrive in Phoenix’s system and elevate their defensive ceiling. But the Suns have to weigh that potential against the cost of acquiring him, both in assets and in cap implications.
It’s a classic contender’s dilemma: Do you go all-in now, or stay patient and protect your flexibility for the stretch run and beyond?
The Suns have been smart and strategic to this point. We’ll see if they’re willing to take one more swing.