The NBA Conference Finals have arrived, and for Spurs fans, it is a chance to learn. Between the remaining four teams, there is one thing that all of them have in common. Each team has a bevy of long-armed wings and gritty defenders. If the Spurs want to be in their position, they must address this need.
Luckily for them, there may be one of these on the roster.
The championship formula
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The Spurs already have Victor Wembanyama as the anchor of their defense. But to truly muster a championship-level defense, there needs to be more. In particular, the Spurs need to find and develop wing defenders.
When scouring their current roster, one name pops out: Jeremy Sochan.
The 22-year-old may be the key to unlocking the Spurs' defense. Sochan fits right into the mold of a player that each of the Conference Finals teams possesses. With a size similar to Minnesota's Jaden McDaniels or New York's OG Anunoby, Sochan has the traits to be an All-NBA caliber defender.
These players are essential to winning a championship. Wembanyama will be down low; he can't be relied upon to shut down some of the best guards and wings in the NBA. He needs a partner to assist him. Sochan can be that.
Head coach Mitch Johnson will be the man in charge of helping Sochan reach his highest defensive potential. But first, the front office needs to put their trust in him by picking up his rookie extension and granting him long-term security on the team.
The Spurs have a [diamond in the rough](https://airalamo.com/jeremy-sochan-every-spurs-doubter-apologize-publicly) on their team, and it's time that we all see that.
If not Sochan than who?
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Sometimes it takes more than one of these player archetypes to win a championship. Sochan is an excellent start, but if the Spurs want to compete with the best, they must stockpile them.
[With the 2nd and 14th picks in this year's draft, the Spurs have plenty of options.](https://airalamo.com/spurs-draft-targets-according-everyone-matters) The second overall pick will likely be Dylan Harper, but the Spurs can fill the defensive void with their 14th overall pick.
Look for the Spurs to draft Arizona's lengthy wing Carter Bryant or the battle-tested forward from UConn, Liam McNeeley. With the proper development, these players can become staples in a lockdown Spurs defense.
In free agency, there is a sea of players able and ready to contribute as a primary perimeter defensive threat. Names such as Memphis' Santi Aldama, Philadelphia's Guerschon Yabusele, or Toronto's Chris Boucher are lengthy, gritty, and strong wing defenders.
Figuring out this aspect of championship-level basketball is crucial, and if the Spurs want to continue playing at this time of year next season, they need to focus on finding the right guys to fill this need.
Whether it be crafting Jeremy Sochan into a lockdown perimeter threat or addressing the need in the offseason, the Conference Finals have taught us that the Spurs must have trusted men on the outside.