The Golden State Warriors proved their doubt in Kevon Looney as a viable rotation center when they let the three-time champion walk in free agency last year, and now it's the Los Angeles Lakers who may share a similar conclusion before the season even gets underway.
Going into the season with just Looney and Walker Kessler as the only two genuine bigs presents a risk for the Lakers, and one they're now trying to address by holding trade talks with the Milwaukee Bucks over Jericho Sims.
Lakers center pursuit hints at doubt over Kevon Looney
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer on Thursday night, the Lakers and Bucks have discussed a deal centered around Sims and former first-round pick Dalton Knecht who may otherwise be waived before opening night if a deal isn't forthcoming.
"League sources say that the Lakers and Bucks have held exploratory trade discussions on a framework that would ship former first-round selection Dalton Knecht to Milwaukee (along with second-round draft capital) in exchange for big man Jericho Sims," Fischer wrote.
Los Angeles acquiring Sims would suddenly create another hurdle for Looney and his desire for minutes on a playoff contender, having been largley been out of the New Orleans Pelicans rotation during his lone year with the franchise last season.
Between Kessler, Sims and the small-ball minutes of Sandro Mamukelashvili and possibly Jarred Vanderbilt, Looney could easily be shuffled back out of JJ Redick's plans after signing a one-year, minimum contract with the franchise in free agency.
The 30-year-old has averaged 2.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in four preseason games, averaging just over 15 minutes albeit that's come without Kessler who just returned in the previous outing against Golden State.
Kevon Looney may hope Bucks reject Lakers trade proposal
Fischer also notes that there's some pessimism surrounding whether a trade will actually go through that lands Sims in Los Angeles. Looney may be secretly hoping for that outcome, allowing him to preserve an open path to rotational minutes unless Redick really wants to lean on Mamukelashvili as a small-ball five.
Sims clearly doesn't have the same résumé that Looney built at the Warriors, but he is more proven over the last 12 months after appearing in 67 games with the Bucks last season where he averaged 5.0 points and 5.5 rebounds on 78.4% shooting from the floor.
Sims' capacity as a lob threat might make the 27-year-old a more intriguing pairing with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, leaving Looney possibly on the outer if a trade is to take place.
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