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The New York Knicks enter the season with a clear question at center depth after losing backup Mitchell Robinson to Boston. Meanwhile, Jericho Sims — traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in a 2025 multi‑team deal — has found a more prominent role, leaving the Knicks with a decision to make.
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Since the 2025 five‑team transaction that sent him to Milwaukee, Jericho Sims has seen a larger on‑court footprint than he did in New York. He appeared in 67 games for the Bucks last season and started 19 of them.
By contrast, Sims started 37 times across 177 games with the Knicks. In Milwaukee he has slotted into a rotation that also includes Myles Turner and Kel’el Ware, and looks to be a dependable frontcourt option for the coaching staff.
How the trade played out for both teams
The Bucks acquired Sims in exchange for Delon Wright and cash considerations, a move that drew little immediate attention because of the trade’s complexity. In hindsight, the swap has produced clear benefits for Milwaukee.
Wright’s time in New York was brief. He logged 20 games for the Knicks across the regular season and playoffs and has not appeared in the NBA since. The roster shift also created space for younger guards — notably Ryan Rollins — to take on a larger backup point guard role.
Given Milwaukee’s challenges over recent seasons, the team has been willing to embrace incremental gains wherever they appear.
Knicks turn to Drummond, but upgrade questions remain
With Robinson gone, the Knicks are expected to lean on veteran Andre Drummond as their new backup center. Drummond offers proven rebounding and experienced minutes in the paint.
That said, Drummond’s peak years are behind him, while Sims — by many accounts — still has room to develop. New York may view Drummond as a short‑term solution and remain open to pursuing an upgrade if the season exposes ongoing depth concerns.
Familiarity with Sims could also factor into future trade conversations. It would not be surprising if the Knicks monitored Milwaukee’s frontcourt throughout the season and considered whether reacquiring Sims makes sense down the line.
