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New Jeremy Sochan injury delays one of Spurs' most anticipated storylines

How much has Jeremy Sochan improved? That's one of the most pressing questions on the minds of Spurs Nation, but it's one that fans will have to wait a tick longer to have answered. According to several local reporters, the colorful-haired forward sustained a mild wrist sprain at practice that will force him to miss the season opener and likely, at least a game or two more.

Fortunately, it's nothing major, so it won't have a large impact on the season. It's just a minor inconvenience. Those happen all the time in sports. It's par for the course. Based on the reports, he likely won't be out longer than De'Aaron Fox, who is expected back on the court in the first week of November. Fans will be happy to hear that. We need to see what the Polish Prince has been working on.

Sochan is in a contract year

Once a key component at Baylor, the defensive-minded forward only has one year left on his deal, and there have been no reports about an incoming deal for him. The deadline for an agreement is October 20, and if it doesn't happen, the trade speculation is going to get louder than ever.

People just don't know where he fits next to Victor Wembanyama, and that has to be the coaching staff and front office's focus as they build this roster to be a contender. Theoretically, they should be a force on the defensive end. They've yielded mixed results, and when they've been positive, their mostly attributed to the otherworldly abilities of The Alien.

I don't believe that to be fair. Sochan is a sensational defender and deserves to be recognized as such. However, his lack of offensive versatility has made him vulnerable. It's already cost him his starting position, and with the roster as deep as it is now, he's in a dangerous scenario.

If this team can find a way to be just as dynamic defensively without him as they are with him, his value plummets. Unless, of course, he gets on the court and proves all of his doubters wrong. Sochan has been working on fixing his jumpshot for years, and this summer, he looks to have finally rid his form of the hitch that causes inconsistency.

If it translates to the regular season and he's knocking down outside shots at a respectable clip, it could change everything for him. He's already a solid offensive rebounder and a fine cutter. But space is more important, so he has to cash in on those opportunities.

The fourth-year forward has plenty of fans who want him to succeed in a silver and black uniform in the long term, but the Spurs will need to see his progress for that to happen.

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