4 reasons Jeremy Sochan must come off the bench next season

San Antonio Spurs fans won't have to wait much longer to see the 2023–24 Spurs in action, with preseason just two weeks away. We'll, of course, get to see Victor Wembanyama in action for the first time against NBA competition and see how he gels with the rest of the roster, but we'll also get to see a new-look starting lineup.

Wembanyama is expected to start at power forward next season, which is likely to push Jeremy Sochan to the bench. That might be a controversial decision given that he is already a fan favorite and was one of the team's few bright spots last season.

However, with Wembanyama not ready to play center full-time, the Spurs will need to play him at the four, next to another big man. Sochan, despite his versatility, cannot play center full-time either, thus potentially resulting in his new role as the Spurs' sixth man.

Given his unique playing style, that could actually be for the best and help him reach his full potential. Not only that, but it would also be the best for the team. Now, let's take a look at several reasons Sochan must come off the bench next season.

4.) Playing big gives the Spurs a size advantage

An underrated reason why the Spurs should consider bringing Socan off the bench is because of size. Wembanyama is set to become the tallest power forward in league history, and while his thin frame prevents him from playing center full-time, his mobility and skill set should allow him to thrive at the four. That gives the Spurs an opportunity to play a modern version of the Twin Towers with Wemby and Collins.

On defense, they will have plenty of size and length, particularly with Wembanyama able to cover a lot of ground, effectively shrinking the floor in the half-court. That would also encourage the Spurs to play slower to force teams to try and score against them without the benefit of transition baskets. It should also give them an advantage on the glass.

Offensively, having both big men be able to knock down threes and pass should allow the Spurs to keep pace with opposing teams while staying big. The Spurs can and will go small with Wembanyama and Sochan, but they are likely to close halves together. That will give the Spurs the ability to play both big and small, giving them the best of both worlds.