The San Antonio Spurs have their franchise centerpiece in Victor Wembanyama - that much is crystal clear. The 7'4" phenom is already altering the trajectory of the organization, and now the challenge is about building the right roster around him.
The Spurs aren’t just developing a star; they’re shaping the future of their franchise. And with that comes tough decisions about who fits next to him - and who doesn’t.
Which brings us to Jeremy Sochan.
Once viewed as a versatile, high-upside wing with defensive chops and positional flexibility, Sochan now finds himself in a bit of a basketball limbo. According to recent reporting, he’s being floated as a potential buyout candidate following the trade deadline - a sign that his role in San Antonio might be nearing its end, at least for now.
It’s been a rocky season for the 22-year-old former lottery pick. After being selected ninth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Baylor, Sochan was expected to be a do-it-all forward who could guard multiple positions, bring energy, and develop into a reliable two-way contributor. But the development curve hasn’t quite gone as planned.
This season, Sochan is averaging just 4.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game - numbers that reflect both a limited role and a lack of rhythm. His shooting struggles have been a major hurdle. He’s hitting just 25.7% from beyond the arc and 68.8% from the free-throw line, making it tough to keep him on the floor in today’s spacing-driven NBA.
The Spurs experimented with him in different roles - even trying him at point guard early on - but nothing has truly clicked. Without a consistent jumper or a defined position, Sochan’s skill set hasn’t translated into a clear role, especially on a team trying to build around a generational talent like Wembanyama.
That doesn’t mean Sochan is out of chances. He’s still young, still athletic, and still has the kind of defensive instincts that once made him such an intriguing prospect. But he may need a fresh start - a situation where he can reset, focus on development, and figure out exactly what kind of player he’s meant to be at the NBA level.
For the Spurs, this is part of the process. Not every piece fits, and not every pick pans out the way you hope. But with Wembanyama as the cornerstone, San Antonio’s focus is clear: put the right players around him, even if that means moving on from ones who once seemed like part of the plan.