The most noteworthy move that the Milwaukee Bucks made at the NBA trade deadline was to send Khris Middleton, one of the best players in franchise history, to the Washington Wizards for Kyle Kuzma. But while that particular trade was (and still is) the most talked about deal the Bucks made, it was not the only one.

Mar 5, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims (00) dunks a basket against Dallas Mavericks guard Brandon Williams (10) and center Dwight Powell (7) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Milwaukee also acquired backup point guard Kevin Porter Jr. from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for former first round pick MarJon Beauchamp. Additionally, the sent Delon Wright, who had been signed as a free agent during the offseason, to the New York Knicks for Jericho Sims.

At the time, many were glad that the Bucks were able to offload Wright, who had been disappointing and had lost his backup point guard job to Ryan Rollins as a result. But many wondered about Sims and how he would fit on the team. He is not good offensively, though he is an above-average defender, so many fans wondered what his role would be.

The Milwaukee Bucks Landed Jericho Sims Because of Bobby Portis

Mar 13, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims (00) dunks against Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko (10) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu

Shortly after the trade deadline, it was announced that Bobby Portis, Milwaukee’s perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate, was being suspended by the NBA for violating their anti-drug policy. The Bucks, of course, knew that this mandate was coming and they wanted to add a big man to their bench while Portis was not able to play.

And while Sims has not had the scoring impact that Portis does when he comes into games, he has provided a boost in other ways.

The 26-year-old has added more youth and athleticism to the Bucks’ front court, something that they were in desperate need of going into the trade deadline. In 14 games, Sims is averaging 4.9 rebounds, the most of his career.

And he is doing so in just 14.0 minutes per game. By comparison, the older and far less athletic Brook Lopez is averaging 5.0 rebounds in 31.7 minutes per game.

Milwaukee Bucks Center Jericho Sims Needed Surgery

Mar 1, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims (00) blocks the shot of Dallas Mavericks guard Dante Exum (0) during the second half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj

Unfortunately, the Bucks will have to play without Sims for the next four weeks. The team announced today that he underwent successful surgery on an injured thumb.

As one can see from the Bucks’ X post above, Sims injured his thumb on Saturday against Indiana.He played 12 minutes, grabbed four rebounds, and blocked a shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday… with torn ligament.

It is a good thing that he will be back for the NBA Playoffs. The Bucks need a guy like that.