Spurs regret in drafting Jeremy Sochan grows as the picks they passed on break out

The San Antonio Spurs know that they did not get the most out of their draft pick when they selected Jeremy Sochan ninth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. As the players they passed on break out, however, their regret is only growing.

Many fans of the Spurs still believe in Jeremy Sochan and his ability to be an impact player for the team -- and he likely still has fans inside the organization as well -- but it's undeniable that his first three-plus seasons in the league have not been what was hoped for.

The idea of Sochan was an elite defender whose playmaking and athleticism would translate into a two-way force. If the range of outcomes was prime Scottie Pippen to late-career Ben Simmons, Sochan has been on the unfortunate end of that spectrum.

Now in his fourth season, Sochan is averaging a career-low 16.3 minutes per game, averaging just 6.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in a dimished bench role. His 3-point shot is right in line with his career mark -- a disappointing 30.4 percent on low volume. Not only is his playing time down, but he is doing less when on the court; his assist, rebound, steal and block percentages are all down from last season.

Sochan remains a positive defensive player, but he's not a game-wrecking force like Draymond Green or Jaden McDaniels. Overall he has become a good defender and a terrible offensive player, and as the Spurs become a perennial playoff contender, there is less patience for Sochan to figure it out through playing time.

To make things worse, the players taken later in the 2022 NBA Draft are continuing to break out.

Spurs painfully took Sochan over these players

The most painful player they and many other teams passed on is Jalen Williams. The All-NBA forward was just the second-best player on a championship team in only his third season in the league, and he would likely go first in a 2022 Redraft. The possibility of Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Williams playing together is a wild alternate timeline.

Another star is bursting free from the late lottery, and that is Jalen Duren. The 6'10" center has taken his touch around the rim and his rebounding and added a face-up game, and he is obliterating opponents this season. He is averaging 19.6 points and 11.8 rebounds per game and is a solid rim protector. Duren is on track to make his first All-Star team this year.

Speaking of centers, Mark Williams is also putting things together in his new home in Phoenix. The former Charlotte big went 15th overall and is averaging nearly a double-double on exceptional efficiency, and he rates as a better defender than Sochan -- less versatility, more paint presence.

The rest of the first round is littered with rotation players as well who would fit great between Wembanyama and the Spurs' guards. Tari Eason is an athletic whirling force of a forward. Christian Braun just landed a lucrative new contract as a defensive wing thriving next to a star center in Nikola Jokic. Even Jake LaRavia is having his moment this season.

The Spurs took a swing on Jeremy Sochan; it was a swing for the fences, and they missed. That happens. But knowing how many good players were still on the draft board, their regret at getting this one wrong will stick with them for a long time.