Shocking Spurs trade would send Jeremy Sochan to hated rival

The NBA trade deadline is little more than a month away, but the San Antonio Spurs may already be scouring the trade market for deals. While they don't have any glaring needs, they could still look to make a move, perhaps involving forward Jeremy Sochan.

With Sochan completely out of the rotation, it seems increasingly likely that his time in San Antonio is over. Therefore, the Spurs should be looking to move on from him in the hopes of adding a rotation player who can bolster their depth.

The Phoenix Suns and Spurs are longtime rivals but could link up on a mutually beneficial trade. One that would send Sochan to Phoenix along with a 2026 and 2028 second via the Pelicans in exchange for O'Neale.

The Spurs must trade Jeremy Sochan while they still can

For the Suns, they'd be adding a former top-10 pick in exchange for a 32-year-old. Granted, O'Neale has had a very good season, drilling 42% from three on 6.8 3-point attempts per game.

No doubt that he has played well this season, though he has been starting in place of Grayson Allen. If Phoenix likes Sochan, they could use the opportunity to bring him in and possibly have him start at the four next to Devin Booker, Allen, Dillon Brooks, and Nick Richards.

That might help boost their 13th-ranked defense and improve their chances of making the playoffs. Additionally, they'd acquire two potentially high second-round picks from the Spurs via the New Orleans Pelicans.

Phoenix Suns wing Royce O'Neale is the perfect low-cost option

For San Antonio, O'Neale would give them a sharp-shooting small forward who can also pass and even defend some. Still, he may not have nearly as big of a role as he had in Phoenix.

But given that his contract runs for two more seasons and only pays him a combined $22.4 million, he'd be a cheap Sochan replacement that would fit San Antonio much better. It would also allow for the Silver and Black to recoup some value from Sochan with him failing to pan out as a top-10 pick.

That would be for the best, with San Antonio already one of the deepest teams in the NBA. Replacing a non-rotation player in Sochan with a solid contributor in O'Neale would make them that much deeper.

A second unit of Dylan Harper, O'Neale, Keldon Johnson, Julian Champagnie, and Luke Kornet would give them a bona fide 10-man rotation that has enough size, length, and shooting to match up with anyone.

Ultimately, if the Suns are interested in Sochan and willing to move on from O'Neale, then the Spurs should jump at the chance to acquire a veteran marksman. Doing so would allow both Sochan and the team to move on and give each the best chance to thrive.