The Los Angeles Lakers could solve their final major roster problem without sacrificing another valuable first-round pick after Milwaukee Bucks centre Jericho Sims emerged as a potentially inexpensive trade target.
Los Angeles has already transformed its frontcourt by acquiring Walker Kessler and signing veteran Kevon Looney following the decision to trade Deandre Ayton to Washington.
However, Kessler played only five games last season before suffering a torn shoulder labrum, while Looney was limited to 21 appearances during an injury-interrupted campaign with New Orleans.
Those availability concerns have reportedly left the Lakers searching for another centre capable of providing insurance behind their new franchise big man.
Sims has been identified as one of their potential targets, and Lakers Nation analyst Trevor Lane believes the 6-foot-10 centre should be obtainable without Los Angeles surrendering a meaningful asset.
“I wouldn’t think Jericho Sims would be all that difficult to acquire, especially since the Bucks already have other centre options,” Lane said, according to Heavy Sports.
“I would think the third-string big for the Bucks on a $2.8 million salary shouldn’t cost a fortune to go get, but it depends what do the Bucks want.”
No trade has been agreed, and there is no confirmation that the Lakers and Bucks have opened negotiations.
But Sims represents the type of low-cost, athletic centre Los Angeles should be considering as it completes the roster around Luka Dončić.
Lakers Cannot Depend Entirely Upon Kessler
Kessler is expected to become the Lakers’ long-term starting centre after arriving from Utah in a major sign-and-trade.
Los Angeles committed four draft selections and handed the 25-year-old a four-year, US$130 million contract, demonstrating how strongly the organisation believes in his defensive ability and potential partnership with Dončić.
The fit makes considerable sense.
Kessler is an outstanding rim protector, rebounder and lob finisher who does not require a large number of possessions to influence games.
Dončić has repeatedly demonstrated that he can transform athletic centres into dangerous scoring threats through his pick-and-roll passing.
Kessler could consequently produce the finest offensive numbers of his career without Los Angeles needing to run plays specifically for him.
The concern is availability.
A torn labrum restricted Kessler to five appearances during the 2025–26 season, creating uncertainty around how quickly he can return to his previous workload.
The Lakers do not necessarily need to anticipate another major injury.
They do need a credible alternative capable of starting if Kessler misses games or requires carefully managed minutes during the early stages of the season.
Entering a championship campaign without that insurance would be a needless gamble.
Looney Is Valuable but No Longer an Everyday Starter
Looney provides leadership, toughness and championship experience following his arrival from New Orleans.
The three-time NBA champion spent the majority of his career doing the unglamorous work required within Golden State’s successful system.
He sets strong screens, competes on the offensive glass and understands how to remain effective without demanding shots.
Those qualities should make him valuable inside the Lakers’ dressing room and during specific matchups.
They do not make him an ideal full-time replacement for Kessler.
Looney appeared in 314 regular-season games across the four campaigns preceding last season, an extraordinary stretch of durability for a physical centre.
However, he played only 21 games for the Pelicans in 2025–26.
The cumulative effect of years spent battling larger opponents may have reduced the mobility and availability that once made him so dependable.
Expecting Looney to play approximately 30 minutes whenever Kessler is unavailable would place considerable strain upon the 30-year-old.
Sims would allow JJ Redick to keep Looney in a controlled role while maintaining an athletic presence at centre.
Sims Offers Exactly What Dončić Can Exploit
Sims is not a complete centre.
He offers limited shooting, has never developed into a consistent scorer and can encounter problems when defending away from the basket.
Those weaknesses explain why he has remained a reserve rather than establishing himself as an NBA starter.
His strengths remain intriguing alongside Dončić.
Sims is an explosive athlete capable of playing above the rim, finishing lobs and creating second-chance opportunities through offensive rebounds.
He averaged 5.0 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 78 per cent from the field across 67 appearances for Milwaukee last season.
That efficiency largely reflects the type of shots he attempts.
Sims operates close to the basket and does not need designed post-up opportunities. He scores through dunks, cuts, putbacks and passes created by teammates.
That limited offensive role could become considerably more valuable beside Dončić.
The Slovenian superstar demands so much defensive attention that opposing centres regularly need to move away from the rim to contain his drives or pick-and-roll manipulation.
Sims would only need to screen effectively, roll hard and be ready to finish.
Los Angeles would not be acquiring a player expected to create his own offence.
It would be acquiring an athlete whose narrow skill set happens to align with the greatest strength of its franchise player.
Milwaukee Has Little Reason to Demand a Major Return
Sims appears expendable because Milwaukee already has Myles Turner and Kel’el Ware ahead of him in its centre rotation.
Turner provides rim protection and perimeter shooting, while Ware possesses considerably more long-term upside.
That potentially leaves limited opportunities for Sims.
His US$2.8 million salary also makes a deal relatively easy to construct compared with most established NBA centres.
Los Angeles would not need to dismantle its rotation or combine several important contracts merely to satisfy salary-matching requirements.
A second-round selection could theoretically provide the foundation for an agreement, although neither Heavy nor Lane reported that Milwaukee had established an asking price.
The Lakers could also explore a player-for-player trade as they attempt to reduce a roster containing 16 guaranteed contracts.
That detail is important.
Los Angeles must already move or release at least one player before entering the regular season, meaning any deal for Sims would ideally send a guaranteed contract in the opposite direction.
Milwaukee would have no obligation to accept a player it does not want merely to help the Lakers reach roster compliance.
The eventual price may therefore depend less upon Sims’ value and more upon which Los Angeles contract accompanies the proposal.
Lakers Must Avoid Overpaying for a Third Centre
Sims would be a sensible acquisition at the right price.
That does not make him worth pursuing at any cost.
The Lakers have already surrendered significant draft capital to acquire Kessler and should protect their remaining assets for a more important opportunity.
Los Angeles may eventually need another two-way wing, a perimeter defender or an established secondary creator.
Using meaningful draft compensation upon a third-string centre would limit its ability to address one of those weaknesses later.
The strongest argument for Sims is affordability.
If Milwaukee wants only a second-round pick or a modest player swap, the Lakers would receive useful insurance without compromising their next major move.
If the Bucks demand a first-round pick, a premium young player or multiple draft assets, Los Angeles should immediately explore alternatives.
Sims has never averaged more than a limited reserve workload.
His athleticism and potential compatibility with Dončić do not erase the weaknesses that have prevented him from becoming a consistent starter.
Kessler Trade Changed Los Angeles’ Priorities
The Lakers’ pursuit of centre help must be viewed differently following the Kessler acquisition.
They are no longer searching for the long-term answer at the position.
They are searching for protection behind him.
That distinction eliminates the need to chase an expensive name such as Turner unless the Lakers believe a second starting-calibre centre can become central to Redick’s system.
A Turner trade would require substantially more salary and assets while creating questions about how he and Kessler could share the floor.
Sims would accept a smaller role and allow the Lakers to preserve financial flexibility.
He could provide energy during the regular season, absorb minutes when Kessler is unavailable and potentially develop into a productive pick-and-roll partner for Dončić.
The Lakers have already made several significant additions as they begin the post-LeBron James era.
Kessler, Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Looney have joined a roster now constructed entirely around Dončić.
The Sporting Base previously examined the major players who changed teams during 2026 free agency, with Kessler ranking among the most important moves of the offseason.
Adding Sims would not attract comparable attention.
It may still be one of the final pieces required to make the broader rebuild function.
No Deal Is Currently Imminent
The discussion surrounding Sims needs to remain in perspective.
The Lakers have reportedly considered him, but there is no evidence that they have submitted an offer or that Milwaukee has decided to trade him.
Lane’s belief that Sims should be easy to acquire represents an assessment of his likely market value—not confirmation of the Bucks’ position.
Milwaukee may prefer to retain three centres for injury protection.
Another team could also offer superior compensation if Sims becomes available.
Los Angeles should explore the opportunity because the basketball fit and financial cost appear manageable.
It should not treat Sims as the only possible solution.
The Lakers need another dependable centre before the season begins, particularly given the recent injury histories of Kessler and Looney.
Sims would give Dončić another athletic lob target and provide Redick with greater frontcourt security.
Most importantly, he may be available without forcing Los Angeles to make another reckless all-in trade.
The Lakers have already paid heavily for their starting centre.
They should only acquire the next one if Lane’s assessment proves correct and he genuinely “shouldn’t cost a fortune”.
