Jeremy Sochan era ends in San Antonio, closing the book on Spurs’ forgettable 2022 draft class
Jeremy Sochan’s time with the San Antonio Spurs has officially come to an end. The team has bought out the 20-year-old forward, signaling a surprising - but not entirely shocking - conclusion to a chapter that never quite lived up to its potential.
Sochan will get another shot. He’s still young, still has the tools that made him a top-10 pick, and there’s no doubt teams around the league will kick the tires on a versatile defender with size, energy, and flashes of playmaking. But his departure also marks the final piece falling from a 2022 draft class that, for the Spurs, simply didn’t pan out.
A rare misfire from the Spurs’ front office
San Antonio has long been considered one of the gold standards in the NBA when it comes to player development and talent evaluation. But even the best miss sometimes - and the 2022 draft is shaping up to be a clear example of that.
That year, the Spurs held three first-round picks. They selected Sochan at No.
9, Malaki Branham at No. 20, and Blake Wesley at No. 25.
Fast forward to today, and none of the three are on the roster.
Branham and Wesley were moved in the offseason in a package that brought back veteran Kelly Olynyk. Now, with Sochan’s release, the Spurs have effectively closed the book on that draft class. And while each player had moments, none made a lasting impact in San Antonio.
Sochan showed flashes - but not enough
Of the three, Sochan came the closest to carving out a real role. He logged heavy minutes across his first two seasons, averaging over 11 points per game while starting a significant number of contests. His versatility on defense, nose for the ball, and willingness to make the extra pass were all traits that fit the Spurs’ ethos.
But as San Antonio began to shift gears - moving from rebuilding mode to trying to build a competitive core around Victor Wembanyama - Sochan’s flaws became harder to overlook. The 2023-24 experiment of playing him at point guard was ambitious, but ultimately exposed how raw he still was as a decision-maker and shooter.
In today’s NBA, where spacing and shooting are king, Sochan’s inability to consistently knock down jumpers became a liability. When the games started to matter more, his minutes started to shrink. It wasn’t that he didn’t belong - it’s that he couldn’t keep pace with where the Spurs were headed.
Branham and Wesley never found their footing
Branham had a promising rookie season, showing some scoring chops and a smooth midrange game. But his development stalled. His best statistical games still trace back to that first year, and after being waived by Charlotte, he’s currently a free agent trying to find his next opportunity.
Wesley, meanwhile, struggled to find a role in San Antonio. He battled injuries early on and never quite broke into the rotation consistently.
He’s shown some signs of life with Portland this season, and there’s still time for him to develop into a solid contributor. But from the Spurs’ perspective, the value just wasn’t there.
A missed opportunity - but not a fatal one
All three players are just 22 years old. Their stories in the NBA are far from over. But from the Spurs’ side of things, the 2022 draft class stands as a rare swing-and-miss - a trio of first-round picks that didn’t move the needle for a franchise known for finding gems.
To be clear, this isn’t a catastrophe. San Antonio has since hit big with Wembanyama, has a treasure chest of draft capital, and is positioned well for the future. But there’s no doubt the front office would love a do-over on that 2022 draft night.
For now, the Spurs are moving forward - and so is Sochan. His next stop will be an opportunity to reset and reestablish himself. As for San Antonio, the focus shifts fully to building around their generational talent - and making sure the next draft class looks a whole lot different.