As the San Antonio Spurs continue to climb the Western Conference standings, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: Mitch Johnson isn’t just keeping the seat warm-he’s making it his own. While Gregg Popovich still holds the title of President of Basketball Operations and remains the spiritual cornerstone of the franchise, Johnson is the one steering the ship courtside.
And so far? He’s doing more than just holding the line-he’s building something new.
Johnson’s approach has been a careful blend of reverence and evolution. He’s brought in his own support staff while retaining key figures from Popovich’s inner circle, striking a balance between continuity and change.
The Spurs' core identity-defensive grit, unselfish play, and player development-remains intact, but Johnson is starting to put his own stamp on this team. And nowhere is that more evident than in how he’s handling the rotation, especially when it comes to Jeremy Sochan.
Let’s back up for a second. Sochan, the former ninth overall pick, was long considered one of Popovich’s favorites.
Pop spoke glowingly about him back in 2023, calling him a do-it-all player who could guard one through five, handle the ball, rebound, defend, and bring relentless energy. Pop loved Sochan’s fearlessness and versatility, and that trust translated into real minutes and real responsibility.
But under Johnson? The picture looks very different.
Sochan’s playing time has plummeted to a career-low 15.9 minutes per game, and the writing on the wall suggests he may not be in San Antonio’s long-term plans. A trade before the end of his rookie deal is widely expected. That’s a significant departure from the previous regime’s vision, and it signals Johnson’s willingness to make bold calls-even when they go against the grain of Spurs tradition.
To be fair, Sochan has always been a bit of a polarizing figure. His defensive impact is undeniable-he brings a physical edge that few others on the roster can match.
But with Stephon Castle emerging as a two-way force and Harrison Barnes providing reliable floor spacing and veteran savvy, Sochan’s unique value has started to fade. The Spurs now have other players who can do what he does-and in some cases, do it better.
Add rookie Carter Bryant to that mix. He’s only seen limited action so far, mostly in garbage time, but the flashes are there.
He’s an elite athlete with serious defensive upside, and while his offensive game is still raw, there’s a belief within the organization that his ceiling could surpass Sochan’s. Both players have their limitations on offense, but Bryant’s future looks a bit brighter at this point.
This isn’t about Sochan not being a good player-he is. It’s about Johnson having more options, more depth, and a different vision for what this team needs moving forward.
Popovich’s loyalty to Sochan helped shape the early stages of his career, and that loyalty rubbed off on a lot of fans. But Johnson is operating with a deeper roster and a fresh perspective.
He’s not afraid to make tough decisions, even if it means moving away from a player who once looked like a foundational piece.
In most areas, Johnson has stayed true to the Pop blueprint. He’s kept the culture intact, leaned into defense and development, and shown patience with his young core. But when it comes to Sochan, he’s made his first major pivot-and it could be a sign of more change to come.
The Spurs are evolving. And under Mitch Johnson, they’re doing it with purpose.