Spurs have tricky problem in Jeremy Sochan extension talks

San Antonio Spurs basketball is almost back after a long offseason, but one lingering summer storyline has yet to be resolved. Forward Jeremy Sochan and the team have yet to link up on a contract extension.

There are still a few weeks left to get one done, but it's anyone's guess whether that will happen. Recent precedent suggests the Spurs will extend him, but figuring out what is fair value is tricky.

Paying Sochan isn't the problem, but figuring out his price point is difficult considering his role. He isn't currently a starter, at least on this team, given his lack of shooting. On a different team with more shooting in the backcourt, he probably would be, but that may not be realistic on the Spurs with De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle.

Jeremy Sochan isn't a starter, but he's overqualified to be a backup

If Castle develops into a capable shooter next season, then the Spurs would theoretically have enough shooting to accommodate Sochan in the starting five. Particularly if he can improve a shooter.

Barring that, he may be relegated to being a third big and stuck splitting minutes with Harrison Barnes at power forward. Barnes being the perfect offensive fit alongside Victor Wembanyama was unexpected (thank you, Sacramento Kings). If he continues to drill threes at a 40% clip and score off cuts and old-man drives to the rim, then he should continue to start.

All that is to say, the odds are stacked against Sochan being a starter in the short term and perhaps even in the long term. One could make the argument that he'd be starting on another team, but the Spurs shouldn't pay him like one.

What is fair value for Jeremy Sochan on the Spurs?

Generally $20 million a season is the going rate for an average starter. Sochan isn't, so that should be out of the question for the Spurs. Still, given he's an elite perimeter defender and a dramatically improved rebounder and finisher. That makes him better than a typical backup four.

Follow me for a moment; if a capable backup four is worth around $10 million annually and a starter is worth at least $20 million a season, then Sochan's value should be in the $15 million to $17.5 million range. Multiplying that amount over four years would result in a total between $60 million and $70 million.

If the Spurs were to go 4 years, $70 million with up to $5 million in unlikely incentives, i.e., shooting at least 35% or making an All-Defensive team, then that would be perfectly reasonable. To be clear, they are only considered unlikely because he didn't accomplish those things last season. But if he reaches those goals after next season, then he would be well worth the $17.5 million annual salary. Underpaid even.

Whether he'd go for that deal is a question mark. Nevertheless, it should be about what the Spurs offer him to try and keep him from hitting restricted free agency next summer.