3 players who could break into Spurs starting lineup

No. 1 player who could break into Spurs starting lineup: Jeremy Sochan

This feels like the obvious, inevitable result. Even if the Spurs commit to Zach Collins to open the season, it will be a matter of when, not if Jeremy Sochan moves into the starting lineup. The No. 9 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Sochan thrived as a rookie and started 53 of 56 appearances. He’s the ideal modern forward in a lot of ways and it would behoove the Spurs to embrace his partnership with Wembanyama sooner than later.

At 6-foot-9 and 230 pounds, Sochan drew a lot of pre-draft comparisons to Ben Simmons. Naturally, those were way off base. Sochan is a big forward who can dribble and push the tempo in transition, but he’s not a legitimate point guard like prime Simmons. Conversely, Simmons has never been as adept as Sochan away from the ball. Sochan loves to screen, roll, and connect dots. That is ultimately what makes him the perfect Wembanyama complement on offense.

The Spurs will run the bulk of their offensive actions through Wembanyama and Devin Vassell, with Tre Jones setting the table at point guard. Sochan won’t have many opportunities to create his own offense or “run the show,” nor should he. He will, however, get to work unique double-big actions with Wembanyama. Prepare for the five-four pick-and-rolls. Sochan will get to cut backdoor and operate out of the dunker’s spot. He will also crash the offensive glass while Wemby and others operate from the perimeter. Over 32 percent of Sochan’s rebounds last season were offensive.

Then there’s the defensive end, which is where Sochan really shines. The Simmons comparisons were again overblown, but Sochan is comfortable switching onto the perimeter and guarding one through five in certain matchups. He fights hard over screens, he’s active in passing lanes, and he competes on the glass. Sochan has invited Dennis Rodman connections with his flamboyant hair color and he often lives up to it with his intensity level. Odds are Sochan never reaches quite the same level as the Bulls’ Hall of Famer, but even a pale imitation is enough to launch San Antonio to the next level with Wembanyama in the driver’s seat.