Many wondered if the Milwaukee Bucks would expand their deal to acquire Kyle Kuzma to continue their roster renovation by roping in more teams. That's exactly what they've now done.
The Athletic NBA insider Fred Katz reports that the Bucks and New York Knicks have agreed to a deal to send Jericho Sims and the draft rights to Mathias Lessort to Milwaukee for Delon Wright, cash and the draft rights to Hugo Besson. It's an interesting subplot to monitor within the Kuzma deal. With the trade for Kuzma already graded, let us grade this mini-transaction to get Sims.
The Bucks finally got their athletic big man
For months, Milwaukee Bucks fans have been pleading for their team to swing a trade for a big man with any athleticism. While they didn't add the flashiest name, those cries have been answered with the addition of Sims. The 6-foot-10 26-year-old is a leaper, possessing a highlight reel full of strong dunks and impressive defensive possessions. He's quicker, more agile and much more athletic than the two players the Bucks had running the operation in Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis.
As for the cost, the Milwaukee Bucks really didn't give up much. Delon Wright served as the Bucks' third-string point guard behind Damian Lillard and Ryan Rollins, scarcely seeing the floor. Moving him for a player at a position of need is beyond justifiable. Cash and the draft rights to Besson, who hasn't played in Milwaukee since being drafted in 2022, are also fair inclusions in this deal.
A sneaky inclusion in this deal is the draft rights to Mathias Lessort. While he's currently injured, the 6-foot-9 forward boasts plenty of athleticism and size. Perhaps the Milwaukee Bucks could take an in-depth look at him this offseason and evaluate what he could bring to the table.
This is the definition of a low-risk move for a Milwaukee Bucks team that needed a player of this build.
BTBP Grade: A
The Knicks add some veteran depth, cash
Delon Wright won't change much for the Knicks if he even stays in town. They currently have a roster loaded with floor generals, so there isn't room for Wright in the rotation. If he stays, he will be nothing more than a depth piece, just like he was in Milwaukee. The inclusion of cash is solid, especially for a player who wasn't playing much, so the Knicks did get something out of this.
While it's not a bad trade for the Knicks, it sure feels like the Milwaukee Bucks won because they got a player who filled a position of need while also getting the better player here.
BTBP Grade: B
Now, time will tell if the Milwaukee Bucks expand this trade even further.
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