The Phoenix Suns were hit with some surprising news Wednesday, as a former trade target of theirs at this year's deadline in Jeremy Sochan was released by the San Antonio Spurs.
A forward who on paper looks like the perfect addition to The Valley, given the franchise is light on bodies at that position and Sochan's reputation of being a bit of a dog.
Spurs ditching Sochan should concern Suns
But surely Phoenix should be asking themselves why the Spurs would simply let a 22-year-old walk away from the organization mere days after the trade deadline ended?
Even more puzzling, when they surely could have even dumped him for a second round pick from another team to open up a roster spot and get him away from this group.
Unless they couldn't.
Would you want the #Suns to sign Jeremy Sochan now that he is available? (📸 Ben Leibowitz)https://t.co/8wBsB9I3R6
— Valley of the Suns (@ValleyoftheSuns) February 11, 2026
Which is why the Suns have to proceed with caution here. One of the best elements of this campaign is how quickly they have created real chemistry that is likely going to lead to a playoff appearance.
They've gotten the best out of role players such as Grayson Allen and Collin Gillespie, while Dillon Brooks sure looks like the perfect teammate to get the best out of Sochan as well.
But what if that actually went the other way, and the two of them clashed? You can only have so many of the type of player Brooks is on a roster, and Phoenix might just be at capacity.
Looking at it another way and the Spurs are well on their way to being legitimate contenders, yet they clearly didn't think Sochan should be along for the ride.
When you've got a generational talent like Victor Wembanyama, you do whatever you have to in order to turn the team over to him and ensure all of his teammates understand he is running the show.
That's not to say Sochan ever did anything to suggest he wasn't a team player there, but the timing is so off on this one. From a practical standpoint he wouldn't stretch the court like Royce O'Neale either.
It is enticing to think of the upside and the fact he would be available on a minimum deal to bring Sochan in for the rest of the campaign. But this is not a Suns team that can take chances like they did before the season began.
That's why this former player is headed back to Europe, they're ahead of schedule and a player like Sochan can knock them off course.
It is cool to get excited by the prospect of Sochan, but just remember there is also a reason he didn't stick in Texas long-term as well.