Earlier than the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery, I wrote about how the highest draft prospects would match into the San Antonio Spurs beginning lineup. To say the piece was ill-received could be an understatement.

On the time the primary critique of my prediction was that I had Jeremy Sochan beginning as a “level ahead.” In Could I additional made my case, click on right here if you wish to see it. After the final preseason sport with the Houston Rockets, Spurs’ head coach Gregg Popovich introduced the beginning lineup for the start of the season as I predicted with Sochan enjoying “level ahead.”

However I’m not penning this simply to brag about my vindication. I’m additionally penning this as a result of beginning Sochan in favor of Tre Jones is a genius transfer by Popovich. Let’s break it down!

In Protection Of Tre Jones

To get it out of the best way, my evaluation is on no account meant to throw shade at Tre Jones. I consider Jones earned his $20 million two-year contract. It’s my hope that he continues to enhance his sport and might prolong his Spurs deal. If not he ought to have the ability to discover a higher supply some other place.

My perception that Sochan would take his place if the Spurs landed a prime 3 choose was based mostly on the truth that the Spurs by no means supposed for Tre Jones to be a place to begin guard.

Jones Was Going To The Bench Anyway

Earlier than Josh Primo was waived when his indecent publicity allegations grew to become public, he was poised to interchange Jones within the beginning 5. Because the season progressed I consider Primo would’ve been moved to the beginning lineup.

With this in thoughts, it appeared pure that if anybody was to be moved to the bench it could be Jones. However to again up my inclination when Jones was injured final season, Popovich gave ball-handling duties to Sochan.

Sochan had a 30-point sport in opposition to the Suns enjoying as some extent ahead

The Genius Of The Spurs Beginning Lineup

The Spurs have a singular roster this 12 months in that 4 of the 5 starters are able to enjoying a number of positions. Shohan can play 1-4, Victor Wembanyama can play 1-5, Keldon Johnson can play 1-4 and Devin Vassell can play 1-3.

With Jones transferring to the bench it type of provides the Spurs two beginning lineups. Think about within the season opener in opposition to Dallas that Johnson will get into early foul hassle. You may sub Jones in and he takes over as level guard and Sochan shifts to small ahead. You continue to have a lineup of starter-worthy expertise.

Jones might be subbed in for any beginning participant and the lineup would nonetheless be efficient. That is Popovich displaying off his genius and knowledge of 27 years of being an NBA head coach.

Nonetheless Rebuilding Extra Adjustments To Come

The Spurs could have drafted Wembanyama however that doesn’t imply the staff’s rebuild is over. It’s secure to imagine that “level ahead Sochan” will not be the long-term resolution to the Spurs’ lack of depth on the level guard place.

There are a whole lot of methods the Spurs can go, I’ll be having a look at their choices in my subsequent publish.

Inform Us Your Ideas

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