Jericho Sims' role under new Milwaukee Bucks coach Taylor Jenkins has looked wildly different from what it did with Doc Rivers last season.

Sims had a breakout year under Rivers' tutelage last season. He started a career-high 19 games, averaged 5 points and 5.5 rebounds in 19.7 minutes per game.

Rivers relied on him because multiple injuries to former superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo limited him to a career-low 36 games. Sims capitalized on the opportunity and proved he could be a reliable backup center.

He's been an afterthought in Jenkins' rotation. Myles Turner and Kel'el Ware, acquired via the Antetokounmpo trade, eat most of the center minutes.

Other teams could trade for his services, and one fits the bill perfectly: the Los Angeles Lakers.

Los Angeles desperately needs a backup center. Lineups look clunky, leads vanish, and the defense diminishes when Walker Kessler sits.

Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves thrive with a springy big man who can catch lobs. Dončić excelled with Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford in 2023-24, leading the Dallas Mavericks to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2010-2011.

General manager Rob Pelinka had what could've been a promising backup big in De'Andre Ayton, who started for the Lakers last season. He valued picks and fetched two second-rounders from the Washington Wizards in return for Ayton.

Pelinka tried to address the glaring hole he created by signing Kevon Looney in free agency. Looney minutes have been disastrous for Los Angeles, and coach JJ Redick removed him from the rotation after a 136-129 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Oct. 27.

Sims isn't as skilled as Ayton, the No. 1 pick in 2018, but he fits better with the Lakers' talented backcourt. His athleticism is reminiscent of Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles' backup last season.

The 6-foot-10 center's task would be simple: catch lobs and rebound. He excelled in those areas when Rivers coached Milwaukee.

If Pelinka and Bucks general manager Jon Horst negotiate a deal for Sims, it's likely about draft compensation. Sims is earning $2.8 million as an expiring deal, and the Lakers aren't trading their young players earning that same range.

Pelinka nearly exhausted his entire pick cabinet to pry Kessler away from the Utah Jazz. Los Angeles has one first-round swap and up to three second-rounders available.

Both second-rounders from Washington could intrigue Horst, as they are in 2031 and 2032. Anthony Davis is in the final year of his contract, and Trae Young's new extension ends in 2029-2030.

Milwaukee already has plenty of picks from the Miami Heat, but adding more assets to the war chest primes the team for a fast rebuild. Sims is the center archetype Dončić and Reaves thrive with, and his future relies on how aggressive Pelinka is willing to be in pursuing him.