Mitch Johnson Explains Recent Spurs' Roster Change, He Likes What He Sees

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonah Kubicek | Last updated Jan 30, 2025 12:56 PM ET

For 16 seasons, Manu Ginobili was one of the best players on an incredibly successful San Antonio Spurs team, but he was only a starter in three of his full seasons. The Spurs--and Ginobili--understood that having a great player lead the second unit would only benefit the team.

So far this season, Jeremy Sochan has stepped into Ginobili's legendary role and found some success.

Both Manu and Jeremy are wild players who do a little bit of everything. Both play an important role both on and off the court and as he recovers from a lower back injury, Sochan has come off the bench in his last three games.

While Sochan supplies plenty of firepower, especially on the defensive side of the ball, for the Spurs, rookie Stephon Castle has been given the starting nod while Sochan leads the second unit, and it seems like a long-term blueprint for success.

Acting head coach Mitch Johnson seemed to like what he's seen from Castle and Sochan in their new roles

"I think for the near future, a lot of that is Jeremy's health is a priority to us, big-picture wise, and it's just been a methodical, conservative approach that I don't think we'll change at this point," he said after the most recent loss to the LA Clippers.

In games where Sochan comes off the bench and Castle starts, Castle is much, much better and Sochan's production remains the same.

Castle & Sochan as Starters vs. Reserves

Player	Games	PPG	RPG	APG	FG%	3PT%	Team Record
Castle (starter)	26	14.7	2.8	4.2	41.1%	29.2%	12-14 (.384)
Castle (reserve)	17	7.2	2.2	2.8	37.0%	15.8%	7-10 (.411)
Sochan (starter)	19	13.6	8.2	2.7	53.9%	29.4%	8-11 (.421)
Sochan (reserve)	6	10.0	7.0	1.6	47.5%	33.3%	2-4 (.333)

Of course, per-game stats will go up as players get more minutes in the starting lineup, especially when they get to play alongside Victor Wembanayma and Chris Paul, and naturally, the Spurs have a better record when a three-year veteran plays over a rookie, but Castle is showing that he can be a capable NBA starter, and Sochan gets to play a larger role with the bench unit, where he has thrived.

The Spurs will host the Milwaukee Bucks tomorrow night, and Sochan is expected to once again come off the bench.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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