Zach Lowe says the quiet part out loud about Spurs' big trade deadline plan

As the NBA trade deadline fast approaches, it appears likely that San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan has already played his final game with the team. That might come as a bummer to Spurs fans, with Sochan being a fan favorite, but perhaps it's for the best given his poor fit.

That increases the likelihood of a trade, with NBA insider Zach Lowe recently weighing in on the situation. According to Lowe, the Spurs are likely to trade Sochan for a rotation player.

He may be stating the obvious given the fact that Sochan hasn't been playing, even during garbage time. I mean, I could have told you that, but he did mention that the Spurs may be willing to give up a first-round pick or a pick swap to make that happen.

That is a potentially spicy development because it means that San Antonio could be aiming fairly high in the trade market.

Jeremy Sochan's role has diminished severely

That is curious because if they are looking at giving up a first-round pick, it would be for someone who can play a big role. The Spurs do have a glaring need at power forward, with Harrison Barnes having his occasional struggles and Julian Champagnie being hot and cold.

If they were to trade for someone of impact, one would think that it would be for a big wing who can scale up and play the four. When looking at the trade market, the two names that match that description are New Orleans Pelicans forwards Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III.

With the Pelicans likely in a rebuild, they could be willing to part ways with one or even both of their wings. Jones would probably be the cheaper of the two to acquire, with him having a down season and not being nearly as good of an offensive player.

Still, he has shown that he can be an elite perimeter defender and is capable of knocking down corner threes. Would the Silver and Black be willing to give up swap rights to the Atlanta Hawks' 2026 pick to facilitate a trade for Jones? I wouldn't put it past them.

NBA insider Jake Fischer mentioned that the Pelicans could be seeking two firsts for him. But if San Antonio can get away with giving up a possible lottery pick and trading the Pelicans back the three second-round picks they previously traded to the Spurs, then Jones would be a perfect option.

Herb Jones may be who the Spurs target in a Sochan trade

A projected starting five of De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Jones, and Wembanyama would have enough scoring and shore up their questionable perimeter defense. It would also give the Silver and Black an absolutely stacked 10-man rotation with Dylan Harper, Keldon Johnson, Julian Champagnie, Barnes, and Luke Kornet.

Were that to happen, that would easily be the Spurs' deepest roster since the 2018 team that went to the Western Conference Finals. If moving Sochan, a first-round pick, and three seconds results in a much deeper team and bolsters their defense, then San Antonio would be even tougher to beat come playoff time.

Especially if they end up going toe-to-toe with the Oklahoma City Thunder. That would make Jones a strong potential option for San Antonio ahead of the trade deadline.