Rebuilding the Spurs

[Rustyman]

Now that Sochan is moving into restricted free agency, lets try to explore the reasons why this decision was made:

1. From the Spurs perspective, Sochan has played 184 games over the past 3 seasons, 56/74/54 or 75% of games. The problem is not that he has had a major injury but that he constantly seems to run into injuries which prevent the Spurs management from getting a clear read on him. Sochan has had some good runs, especially at the beginning of last season when he was averaging around 14 points and 8 rebounds and his improvement in 3 point percentage in Jan/Feb. He is acknowledged as a plus defender and I think something like second team all NBA defense is possible this year, however, once again, he does not have a consistent season of performance on record. All this is to say it is difficult to judge whether he is a MLE, 20 or 25m/year player.

2. The salary cap landscape has changed. With the aprons, the middle tier (4th to 7th players on the roster) of NBA players are getting squeezed. We are seeing that if you are not clearly 1-3 on the any team, you are not getting paid more than around $25m/year and if teams are giving players that money, they need to be convinced that they can rely on that performance throughout the year. Sochan fits into this category but his performances have been inconsistent.

3. Also, salary cap planning. Most teams, will only be supporting 2 max contracts, one mid (25-40m) and the rest will be $10m-25m. For the Spurs, in two years time, this will be Wemby and Fox with Castle having to be paid the year after and Harper the year after that. The Spurs currently have Devin Vassell being paid 3rd starter money, Keldon being paid $20m and a host of other who need paying to round out the roster. The $20-25m for Sochan needs to be for a consistent commodity and unfortunately, Sochan is not that at the moment.

If Sochan at the end of the season is worth 20-25m, then the Spurs will pay that otherwise they will switch focus to other players. Also, if Champagnie becomes a consistent 3&D threat, where is his money coming from.

[G R E Y]

Sochan is a victim of his own inconsistency as much as of changing team roles.

On the one hand, he plays a physical style and gets under opponents' skin. He's not afraid to get in a tussle. So the little nagging injuries come with the territory, but they are starting to add up. Some balance of picking your battles and making healthier luck is in order.

But on court consistency (tied however much to availability) is entering a prove-it year. Too much has been made of the 18-game starting PG experiment even if his position and roles have changed. You get the sense Pop was trying yo get him out of a comfort zone and see if he could make different reads, etc. I still think putting guys in this role (Keldon and Dev before him were tasked with bringing up the ball and initiating O) helps them see the whole thing differently, more cohesively, rather than just one's role in it.

And even with Sochan's woeful 3s shooting, what's crucial is his fit alongside Wemby. This, as much as anything, is what has him coming off the bench. He could get away with not passing to Wemby in year 1, though even then it was obvious whose team it was. But now Wemby is us calling guys out for not making the right pass, and there's even less of an excuse with Wemby himself passing on shots to pass to teammates in better position.

There's a stubbornness to Sochan that works against him sometimes, wanting to stand out at the expense of the team, be it not making a right pass or taking the end of Q shot. It can work for him if it's more aligned with team needs.

Keldon is a perfect example of a guy who stands out by adjusting his skills and style of play to suit team needs much better. He is useful off ball, makes great cuts, does not over dribble, and can score in multiple ways. He crucially also makes the extra pass. Great energy, controlled physicality, nice rim touch, and multi-level scoring threat. He earned his contract by catering his game to team needs.

Sochan's development is not fully there yet in that regard. We will see this season if something has clicked and he expands his skill set and matches team needs and fit better. Do that, and the contract will take care of itself.

[G R E Y]

p.s. we have no idea about how close or far apart sides are, whether Sochan wants a bigger role, or whether he's truly happy here.

A trade is also a possibility. Sochan, Devin, Barnes for Lauri works per Spotrac NBA trade machine.

[Rustyman]

1. Sochan is a victim of his own inconsistency as much as of changing team roles.

2. But on court consistency (tied however much to availability) is entering a prove-it year.

3. And even with Sochan's woeful 3s shooting, what's crucial is his fit alongside Wemby.

4. Keldon is a perfect example of a guy who stands out by adjusting his skills and style of play to suit team needs much better. He is useful off ball, makes great cuts, does not over dribble, and can score in multiple ways. He crucially also makes the extra pass. Great energy, controlled physicality, nice rim touch, and multi-level scoring threat. He earned his contract by catering his game to team needs.

5. Sochan's development is not fully there yet in that regard. We will see this season if something has clicked and he expands his skill set and matches team needs and fit better. Do that, and the contract will take care of itself.

I will take these points one by one:

1. However much I like Sochan, inconsistency is the reason for him not getting the contract he wants

2. Sochan has to show what he has to earn that contract. Tough but fair.

3. This is something I firmly believe. Sochan plays better with Wemby on the court but the converse is also true.

4. I have never been a Keldon fan but you cannot doubt that he has done whatever the Spurs want him to do which is one of the reasons I think he may retire as a Spur.

5. The final point is self explanatory. Sochan's future with the Spurs will be determined by Sochan himself.

[Rustyman]

Nice start by the Spurs but it is only one game of 82. What I liked:

1. No significant defensive drop off with Kornet on the field
2. Castle's aggressiveness
3. Wemby in the paint
4. Keldon not forcing it
6. Harper's composure
7. Vassell making an effort on defense.

Needs attention:
1. Think the second unit needs another scorer with Keldon and Vassell might have to go to the bench to fulfill that role
2. Need Sochan back as they need another 3/4 defender.
3. Free throws. Cannot waste gimmes.
4. Think teams might focus more on Wemby inside which might open Champagnie and Barnes.
5. Bryant was lost out there but he may have a future if he learns to shoot.

[G R E Y]

I'm very high on Carter. His defense is ready and assertive from day one. We can wait on his O game to come along.

I like Sochan energy with the first group, especially if Barnes isn't scoring well on a given night. But Sochan has to show more scoring consistency so he's not a 3s liability. And of course fit with Wemby. If first pro game Dylan can be a willing passer to Wemby, there's no excuse for Sochan. Zero reason to look off him when he's calling for it. Know, accept, and star in your your role, get minutes.

I think once Fox and Sochan return early November the starting 5 will be Fox Dev Castle likely Barnes and Wemby, putting scorer Champie with the second unit, a nice outside complement to Keldon's bully ball.

Depending on matchups and what Sochan shows, maybe he can reclaim a starting spot, but Barnes is a reliable vet right now. Sochan provides better more physical D but is a wildcard. So we'll see.

Either way, it will be good to have more depth back and have a bigger variety of combinations to throw at opponents. Plus some internal competition for roles and minutes or better distribution of them throughout the season are also good.