Jeremy Sochan & Jazz would be a match made in basketball heaven

The Utah Jazz have indicated they plan to tank for the remainder of the season, much to everyone’s dismay. However, with two months left in the season, they are in a position to hand out flyers to potentially improve their terrible defense, and Jeremy Sochan is the perfect buyout candidate for them.

Sochan saw his role in San Antonio diminish significantly as the team began its rise. Since it was clear that he was on the outside looking in, his departure felt inevitable and the day of judgment had finally arrived.

So Sochan is now on the open market and there were reportedly two teams interested in him, and neither of them was Utah.

There’s a difference between them and the Jazz in that they’re offering him the opportunity to play in the postseason, so what can the Jazz offer that the Knicks and Suns can’t? Simply put: the opposite, that is, an environment without any pressure.

Sochan was left out as Spurs started winning, and part of their winning formula accidentally put him in the doghouse, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a good player. What Sochan is best known for is exactly why the Jazz would be a perfect fit for him: his defense.

The Jazz need more defensive reinforcements

Sochan’s calling card is his defense. It’s hard to really quantify a player’s defensive value (although it’s pretty clear that Jaren Jackson Jr. himself changed the equation in Utah). Nathan Rogers of Air Alamo and several YouTube accounts have done a great job explaining why he’s so important on that side of the room.

So why did Spurs get rid of him? Because offensively he leaves a lot to be desired. He can’t shoot, which hurts them in that area. Since they’re trying to win now, they couldn’t afford to develop him as they moved up the standings.

That’s why Utah works much better for him than San Antonio. The Jazz will tank for the rest of this season so they can afford to give him a flyer to prove himself, and if it makes the team worse off, so be it.

The Jazz already have plenty of offensive firepower. Jackson, Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George and Ace Bailey not only give them points, but also space. That hurts Sochan without a doubt, but he solidifies Utah’s defensive foundation enough that the Jazz should be prepared to bite that bullet.

Utah’s defense hasn’t been all bad in recent years. It was a complete joke. Jackson, plus the return of Walker Kessler, will change that so much. Having Sochan along with those two would go a long way toward making Utah’s defense not just good, but formidable.

That doesn’t necessarily have to be right away as he could join them next season, but either way, it would be really nice to see Sochan join the Jazz. You know how their starting lineup should be in jumbo shape next season? Sochan himself would ensure that such a rare signing would not just start and end with the starters.