NBA insider Jake Fischer recently revealed more about the failed trade talks between the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers involving Jericho Sims. Per Fischer (subscription required), the Bucks wanted two second rounders in exchange for Sims, while the Lakers only wanted to part with one. The former walked away, and it would be hard to blame them.
Having Sims as center depth will be luxury
Acquiring two second round picks for a third-string center would have been an easily justifiable move for a team looking to restock its asset stash. Sims is a good player, but given how unclear his role may be with the team this season, perhaps they'd be wise to sell high. However, that doesn't mean moving on just to move on. They had an asking price and stuck with it. The Lakers didn't want to pay.
The Bucks should have no concerns about keeping Sims. He's arguably one of the better third-string centers in the entire NBA. With Kel'el Ware showing early tendencies of getting into foul trouble, the team needs a good backup for him, and they've got one. Having him makes far more sense than just acquiring one future pick for him and having to scramble to find an adequate replacement.
They value his presence more than one second round draft pick, and understandably so.
Bucks are benefitting from cutting Porter
Instead of trimming their roster in a way that involved Sims, the Milwaukee Bucks cut Kevin Porter Jr. Far more controversial than holding onto Sims over one second round pick is the fact that the Bucks reportedly turned down a deal that would have seen them move Porter to Denver in exchange for a pair of second round picks, a second round swap, and Zeke Nnaji, but that's a different conversation.
Despite not getting any draft capital, parting with Porter has worked out wonderfully for the Bucks to this point, as it has opened the door for Milwaukee's young guards. Kasparas Jakucionis has stepped into Porter's role seamlessly off the bench. Brayden Burries looks wise beyond his years. If the Bucks had made the Sims move and kept Porter, those two might still agonizingly be on the shelf.
So far, it looks like everything is working out just fine, and it started with the Milwaukee Bucks holding firm with their proposal to the Lakers. Moving forward, if teams call about their players, the Bucks will likely take the same approach in every conversation. Pay up or hang up the phone.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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