Spurs’ prized lottery pick has quietly disappeared from the spotlight

Things aren't looking too great for fan favorite Jeremy Sochan. The San Antonio Spurs forward appears to be very much available on the trade market as his role decreases.

Even when Coach Mitch Johnson recently dusted off Sochan and played him against the Memphis Grizzlies, the results were a mixed bag. While he did make some hustle plays, including helping force a backcourt violation, he passed up an open three and clanked three others.

That short stint underscores why he simply doesn't fit this roster anymore. Having a hustle player is never a negative thing, but those players still need to develop offensive skills to warrant a spot in the rotation.

Sochan is a strong rebounder, a skilled perimeter defender, and isn't shy about playing physically. That's all well and good, but without a way to punish opposing teams on offense, they will likely ignore him.

As a result, he has seen his minutes dry up as players such as Julian Champagnie and Luke Kornet have filled the vacuum. Even as Harrison Barnes has steadily regressed over the course of the season, Sochan hasn't been able to carve out a role.

Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan has quietly disappeared from the spotlight

Given how things have played out this season, San Antonio's decision not to offer him a contract extension over the summer has aged well. The worst-case scenario is that they neither trade him nor sign him to a qualifying offer this summer.

Not great, but not end-of-the-world, Avengers-level threat-type stuff. The best-case scenario is that the Spurs do as The Ringer's Zach Lowe reported and package him along with a first, and possibly even Kelly—we hardly knew you—Olynyk for a trade to bring back an impact player.

That's definitely a possibility if they are willing to part with the Atlanta Hawks' pick swap in this year's draft, with that selection projected to be 12th at the moment. As for the medium outcome, or mid for short, see what I did there?

The Silver and Black trade Sochan for another fringe rotation player or even a second-round pick and trade filler. The New York Knicks' Guerschon Yabusele comes to mind. Meh.

Do the Spurs have a plan to resolve the Jeremy Sochan situation?

Obviously, the trade for a rotation player option is the best of the three, and San Antonio should be looking to fill holes with whoever they acquire. Right now, power forward is looking highly suspect, with the Monstars having stolen Barnes' game and refusing to give it back.

Then there is Champagnie, who either looks like a 3-point sniper or someone who has never shot a basketball—with no in-between. Having an aging veteran suddenly fall off and an impactful but extremely volatile backup as their power forward core is a ticking time bomb.

We saw how that scenario played out during the NBA Cup playoffs when both failed to show up. Never again. There are a few options that could help solve the team's problem at power forward while also helping them with their perimeter defense.

Solving two problems by trading Sochan and a first would be the best outcome for the Spurs and also give him a fresh start elsewhere. We won't have to wait long to see what the Silver and Black decide to do with Sochan, with the NBA trade deadline barely a month away. Let's hope for the best!