Extension options for the Spurs and Jeremy Sochan
If there's interest from both sides, the Spurs and Jeremy Sochan can negotiate a contract extension before the start of the regular season.
A month ago, in early August, the San Antonio Spurs signed guard De’Aaron Fox to a four-year, $229 million contract extension. The move wasn’t surprising considering the Spurs had traded for Fox in February, and he was on record as saying he hoped to extend his contract with the Spurs.
Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan is also extension-eligible this offseason, though an extension deadline is approaching on October 20. It’s uncertain whether Sochan and the Spurs will agree to a contract extension at this moment.
Here are some questions I’ve compiled regarding whether the Spurs should extend Sochan’s contract this offseason.
What skills does Sochan already bring to the floor each night?
Where does Sochan’s game still need improvement?
What’s a starting point for an extension?
What does a high extension amount look like?
What does a middle-ground extension look like?
Should Sochan consider testing restricted free agency next summer?
Why might the Spurs delay extending Sochan?
Let’s begin with the first question.
What skills does Sochan already bring to the floor each night?
First and foremost, in his first three years in the NBA, Sochan has established a reputation for his defensive ability on the floor. One of the most noticeable aspects of Sochan’s defense is his versatility.
Back in late April, when the regular season had already ended for the Spurs, I wrote a piece looking at the most frequent matchups for Spurs defenders. Just look at some of Sochan’s main matchups last season and the different positions each player plays.
Anthony Edwards (guard)
James Harden (guard)
Zach LaVine (guard)
Luka Doncic (big guard)
Jaren Jackson Jr. (big)
Julius Randle (big)
Karl-Anthony Towns (big)
Trae Young (guard)
Sochan's ability to guard multiple options defensively gives the Spurs the flexibility to have him defend some of the opposing team’s best players, allowing Victor Wembanyama to protect the paint. The same should be said if Sochan plays in lineups alongside new big man Luke Kornet this season.
