The Utah Jazz have signaled that they plan to tank the rest of the season, much to everyone's dismay. However, with two months left in the season, they're in a position to give 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 dwindle considerably as the team was starting its ascension. Because it was clear he was on the outside looking in, his departure felt inevitable, and judgment day finally arrived.
The San Antonio Spurs and forward Jeremy Sochan have agreed on his release to allow the 2023 All-Rookie team member to become a free agent, sources tell ESPN. Sochan is expected to decide among multiple interested teams. pic.twitter.com/ilLIWLz7gb
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 11, 2026
So Sochan is on the open market now, and there were reportedly two teams interested in him, neither of whom were Utah.
The Knicks and Suns were among the teams who had trade discussions surrounding former Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan prior to the trade deadline, as I previously reported on @hoopshype. Something to keep in mind as he becomes a free agent now and both teams have open roster spots. https://t.co/4ByTTkjUX2
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) February 11, 2026
There's a difference between them and the Jazz, as they offer 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, ie.e., an environment with absolutely no pressure.
Sochan got shut out because the Spurs started winning, and part of their winning formula inadvertently put him in the doghouse, but that doesn't mean that he's not a good player. In fact, what Sochan is best known for is precisely why the Jazz would work perfectly for him: his defense.
The Jazz need more defensive reinforcements
Sochan's calling card is his defense. It's hard to truly quantify a player's defensive value (though it's pretty obvious that Jaren Jackson Jr. by himself has changed the equation in Utah). Air Alamo's Nathan Rogers and various YouTube accounts have done an excellent job explaining why he's so important on that side of the floor.
So then why did the Spurs get rid of him? Because, offensively, he leaves a lot to be desired. He can't shoot, which hurts them on that end. Because they're trying to win now, they couldn't afford to develop him as they moved up in the standings.
That's why Utah works much better for him than San Antonio does. For the rest of this season, the Jazz will tank, so they can afford to give him a flyer to prove himself, and if it makes the team worse, so be it.
The Jazz already have enough offensive firepower. Jackson, Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, and Ace Bailey gives them not only scoring but spacing too. Sochan hurts that, without question, but he solidifies Utah's defensive foundation enough that the Jazz should be willing to bite that bullet.
Utah's defense hasn't been just bad over the past several years. It's been 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 in making Utah's defense not just good, but formidable.
It doesn't necessarily have to be right away, as he could join them next season, but regardless, there would be a lot to like about Sochan joining the Jazz. Know how their starting lineup should be jumbosized next season? Sochan himself would ensure that such a rare asset wouldn't start and end with just the starters.