The NBA rookie extension deadline came and went, with the San Antonio Spurs [failing to sign](https://airalamo.com/jeremy-sochan-extension-nightmare-awaits-spurs) Jeremy Sochan to a new deal. Although surprising, it was the right call.
While Sochan is a fan favorite and has the potential to be a game-changing Swiss Army knife, his median outcome is that of a backup power forward. In fact, he has essentially been boxed into that role, given his size and the Spurs' off-season moves.
At 6-8, he has more than enough size to play power forward and can play center in spurts. However, San Antonio wisely chose to upgrade that position by bringing in Luke Kornet.
With Sochan splitting minutes at power forward with Harrison Barnes, that likely caps his role at 24 minutes per game. However, the Spurs have experimented heavily with playing Victor Wembanyama and Kornet together in the preseason. That means that Sochan could end up playing closer to around 20 minutes per game.
With fewer minutes and no preseason to prove himself, Sochan didn't have the opportunity to try to earn an extension before the deadline.
The San Antonio Spurs made the right call with Jeremy Sochan
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Given Sochan's questionable fit and seemingly decreasing role, the Spurs were right to hold off on extending him. It could also benefit Sochan, too. He spent the offseason working on his 3-point shot and can use this season to prove that he can reliably knock down threes.
If he can shoot around 35% on at least three 3-point attempts per game, then suddenly he becomes a much more interesting player to the Spurs and other teams. If he shoots any better than that, he could draw significant interest from a team with money to spend and in need of a long-term option at power forward.
Still, restricted free agency (RFA) favors the incumbent team, and the Spurs would hold all of the cards. They would have 72 hours to match an offer sheet, and teams are wary of even offering an RFA a big contract because it ties up their cap space for three days during the busiest period of free agency.
Sochan must prove to the Spurs he's worth a big contract
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Even if a team does, the Spurs could just match the offer, assuming it's a reasonable one, even if they don't necessarily view Sochan as a part of their long-term plans. The Golden State Warriors just gave Jonathan Kuminga a $48 million deal even though they clearly don't believe he's a part of their future.
Instead, they hope to trade him to keep from losing him for nothing. That could be an option for the Spurs if there is a risk they might lose him for nothing.
Of course, the best possible scenario is that Sochan has a strong season and proves that he can knock down open threes. If that were to happen, then the Spurs could bring him back on an affordable long-term contract.
After all, while he is a questionable fit now, the Spurs still need a long-term answer at power forward, and Sochan could still develop into that player. He will just have to prove that he can first.