At the 2025 NBA trade deadline, few were talking about the Milwaukee Bucks’ ‘other trades’.
Many viewed the Bucks acquiring Kevin Porter Jr. and Jericho Sims as minor or meaningless additions, maybe cracking the rotation for a few minutes here or there. All the chatter surrounded the Bucks trading Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma.
However, Porter Jr. and Sims may be vital pieces for the Bucks with the playoffs set to begin this weekend.
Why are Porter and Sims key players this postseason?
Primarily under scrutiny for the Middleton-Kuzma swap, Bucks GM Horst made a few sneaky moves, nabbing Porter Jr. for little-used Marjon Beauchamp and snagged the athletic center Jericho Sims for Delon Wright.
Porter Jr. is arguably the Bucks’ best deadline acquisition, particularly because of the low-risk, high-reward situation.
Porter Jr.’s scoring has been outstanding. His ball-handling and shot creation for others might be the bigger attribute he’s brought to Milwaukee. Porter has provided a much-needed ball handler on the floor with Lillard out three weeks due to a blood clot issue.
Giannis has enough on his plate without needing to be the main ball-handler all the time as well. Porter Jr. is also a bit more comfortable running the show than Ryan Rollins, who is better off the ball at this point in his career.
Sims hasn’t had much of a sample size, but he provides a dynamic skillset no other big on the Bucks’ roster has. Sims stepped in for the suspended Bobby Portis, and his activity really jumps out. The mobile 5-man is a rim-running, lob-catching center who can switch onto guards and guard mobile bigs.
He has had some highlight slams including this one from Damian Lillard last month.
https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1900340666745426010
His counting numbers don’t tell the story of what he can provide. Sims is quick and won’t be a liability in transition against the fast-paced Pacers in the first-round matchup.
Porter Jr. adds needed dynamic to Bucks offense
Porter Jr. has been much more efficient since coming to Milwaukee.
He is shooting 49.4% from the field, 40.8% from 3 and 87.1% from the foul line with Milwaukee. His shooting numbers in Los Angeles were 42.3/24.5/64.5. Porter has been a godsend for the Bucks, with Porter seemingly winning a few games for the Bucks with dynamic performances. He posted 24 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in an OT win over Miami on April 5.
The Bucks have a 4.7 net rating with Porter Jr. on the floor and a strong 109.0 Defensive Rating with him on the floor.
Porter Jr. is providing a bit of what Khris Middleton did with his smooth midrange game with shots like this.
The combo guard averaged 11.7 points with 3.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 30 games with the Bucks. With Lillard sidelined, Porter Jr. stepped up. The Bucks won eight straight games to finish the regular season with Porter Jr. sizzling down the stretch.
In April, Porter is averaging 16.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, including four straight 20-plus point performances. With Lillard cleared to return in the near future, the Bucks could have a bucket-getting backcourt.
Sims’ athleticism could be overlooked factor vs. Pacers
A thumb injury sidelined Sims after 14 games with the Bucks, but he did plenty during that time.
In 32 minutes together, Sims and Giannis together have a gaudy 83.6 Defensive Rating. That is the best of any regular two-man rotational combos for the Bucks playing together in at least 11 games.
With the athleticism of the Pacers’ frontcourt, Sims could prove to be a key rotational cog in the playoffs for the Bucks. While many won’t think of Sims as one of the first names to be vital in the opening round vs. Indiana, his skillset at least provides a different dynamic to the Bucks.
Non-Giannis bigs on the Bucks (Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez) can score. However, both can also be liabilities at times defensively with their lack of footspeed. The Bucks can now go small with a Kuzma-Giannis pairing or Giannis-Sims to matchup defensively with Indiana.
Porter, Sims X-factors for Bucks
With Lillard just cleared to return pending reconditioning, the pressure on the Bucks’ others should go down.
Kevin Porter Jr. has really provided the scoring punch Milwaukee needed when Lillard was out. Porter’s ability to handle the ball also figures to be crucial. The Pacers picked up and bothered the Bucks full court last year in the playoffs. This year, with Giannis healthy, Porter and later Dame, the Bucks can make them pay if they pressure.
With Lillard’s return looming, the pressure on winning the first two games at home couldn’t be higher for Indy.
The trade deadline acquisitions of Porter Jr. and Sims weren’t expected to be all that important, particularly in the playoffs.
But not only did Porter crack the rotation, he made a serious impact. Before the thumb injury was entrenched with minutes, Sims’ return in the playoffs has the Bucks looking versatile to matchup with the Pacers.
While everyone will be talking about Giannis and a returning Lillard, their two overlooked trade deadline acquisitions could prove to have just as equal of an impact.
Leave a comment