Per both the eye test and statistics, the Chicago Bulls fielded one of the worst defenses in the NBA in 2024-25. They allowed the third-most points per game and the most points in the paint (by a good margin), so signing center Jericho Sims in free agency would offer an immediate upgrade.
Chicago gave up the third-most rebounds in the league as well, finished 25th in offensive rebounding, 22nd in second-chance points allowed, 19th in defensive efficiency and 18th in rebounding percentage. Rookie Matas Buzelis blocked more shots than anyone on the team despite finishing the season fifth in minutes.
The Bulls desperately need an interior presence to vacuum up rebounds and defend the paint, but their up-tempo, transition-based offense requires an athletic one who can run up and down the floor. Sims fits the bill to a tee.
Jericho Sims makes sense for the Chicago Bulls in free agency
Sims played for two teams last season, going from the New York Knicks to the Milwaukee Bucks in a trade-deadline deal. The Knicks took a flier on him with the 58th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, and despite being relegated mostly to an end-of-the-bench role, he is 11th in that year's class in win shares per 48 minutes.
Despite ranking 30th in total minutes played, he's 18th in rebounds, and his 71.4 percent field-goal shooting is tops in the class. His best season came in 2022-23 when he played in 52 games, started 16 and averaged 15.6 minutes. He averaged 3.4 points and 4.7 rebounds, nearly two of which came on the offensive glass.
Per-36 minutes, Sims has career averages of 6.4 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.8 stocks (steals plus blocks). His stats may not back it up, but he played well when he got to Milwaukee, averaging 15.0 minutes in 14 games playing next to Giannis Antetokounmpo or as the lone center in bench lineups.
He also played 58 minutes across five playoff games and grabbed more offensive boards (11) than defensive (9).
More than 60 percent of Sims' baskets during his four-year career have been dunks. He's shooting 73.2 percent on his assisted two-point shots. He's a rim-runner, offensive rebounder and lob threat.
At the 2021 draft combine, the Texas product finished eighth among all players in the three-quarter-court sprint, second in standing vertical leap and second in max vertical leap (44.5), then the third-highest in combine history, all while weighing in as the second-heaviest player in the class with a muscular 250-pound frame.
His unique blend of explosiveness and strength allows him to set hard screens and roll rapidly to the basket. He's also a decent cutter from the dunker's spot. Playing alongside a point guard like Josh Giddey, a willing, flashy, skilled passer, would suit Sims perfectly and give him a solidified role on offense.
He wouldn't cost much, either. The 26-year-old played for $2.1 million last year and would likely be available for a minimum deal this offseason.
Sims is exactly the type of player Chicago needs. He's big, strong, long, fast and explosive. His ability to deter drivers at the rim, rebound, keep up with Chicago's guards in transition and finish anything near the basket would give head coach Billy Donovan a much-needed alternative look at center.