Spurs vindicated for not extending Jeremy Sochan as replacement shines

Even the most hopeful San Antonio Spurs fans couldn't have predicted how great this team would be this season. Even as they have battled injuries, they have continued to roll with depth playing a giant factor in their early-season success.

Free agent addition Luke Kornet has played a surprisingly large role thus far after initially starting the season as the backup to star Victor Wembanyama. With Wembanyama missing time with an injury and then on a minutes restriction, the Spurs look like geniuses for signing Kornet.

They also look like geniuses for not signing Jeremy Sochan to an extension. Sochan also struggled with injuries early on, allowing for Kornet to show what he can do.

That hasn't helped Sochan's case in a contract year, and he now finds himself out of the team's regular rotation. It's been a surprising development but the right move by coach Mitch Johnson, who has prioritized shooting and spacing over just defense.

The Spurs were right to not extend Jeremy Sochan

Sochan has the defensive part down but has yet to figure out how to consistently contribute on offense. Kornet doesn't have that problem. While he has spent time at power forward alongside Wembanyama in the French Vanilla lineup pairings, Kornet is a classic center.

He is a skilled big man who can set physical screens, roll hard to the rim, and even catch lobs. He is also a terrific offensive rebounder, all of which has been an enormous help to the team's offense. Sochan can do many of those things, just not as well.

As a result, Sochan has seen his minutes dwindle and his future with the Spurs appear increasingly unclear. He could even be available to be traded, though the team's injury struggles this season might warrant keeping him around at least until the offseason.

Luke Kornet is outshining Jeremy Sochan this season

Of course, they would have to give a qualifying offer to keep from losing him for nothing, but he probably wouldn't attract much attention in restricted free agency. That means the worst-case scenario for the Spurs is that he may return on a one-year deal next season.

When compared to paying him around $15 million annually, San Antonio made the right decision by not extending Sochan and instead having him prove his worth. Unfortunately, he hasn't shown much or proven anything beyond what we already knew.

He's not a strong enough shooter to play power forward and two inches too short to play center full time, which is where he would thrive. Too bad. That's not to say that Sochan couldn't thrive elsewhere where there is more shooting in the backcourt and a floor-spacing center for him to be paired with.

The Spurs don't really have that team, and Kornet continues to play well because his skill set better suits this roster. That makes the Silver and Black's decision not to extend Sochan all the more wise, with them instead signing what turned out to be his replacement for cheap in free agency.