Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right…

[TheSyndicate]

Yeah,

We’re a little stuck in the middle - which of course is not where you want to be, HOWEVER, it’s kind of the plan. We’re banking enough points with wins to train up our young core, save a bit for future tax, and we’re not going to be an easy out for any team come playoff time.

We definitely need some depth, which I imagine we’ll sign after this sim, but I’m excited to see what Davis and Baker can do in their second go-round together in Denver. They both had great camps, and we have an interesting little team. We’re still young, only going to get better, and I think these two can be the core of a championship team.

Bridges is also an intriguing third banana and is developing well for such a young player. We brought in Sneed and kept Makur for some firepower and veteran leadership, and have a good mix of offense and defense.

Are we threatening for a ship? No. But I see a championship window in the next 3-5 seasons if we play our cards right.

[Mike Lowry]

Seems like you do have some interesting cards. What would it take to turn the corner with the same young core you have right now? Also, what's the likelihood that when you make you're run, you do it with a completely different crew? Are there any players on your roster now, that you would be hard pressed to send out?

[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: With the acknowledgment that your team isn't quite there yet but has the players in place to grow into a championship squad in a couple seasons or so, what, if anything, do you look for in the league or on your team to decide whether to slow or speed up your builds to compete for a championship?

[TheSyndicate]

Seems like you do have some interesting cards. What would it take to turn the corner with the same young core you have right now? Also, what's the likelihood that when you make you're run, you do it with a completely different crew? Are there any players on your roster now, that you would be hard pressed to send out?

Davis and Baker would be really tough to part with. Love Bridges as well. I think a lot of it will be determined by how Baker and Davis continue to develop, but I’m unlikely to win my next championship without one of, if not both of those guys.

[TheSyndicate]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: With the acknowledgment that your team isn't quite there yet but has the players in place to grow into a championship squad in a couple seasons or so, what, if anything, do you look for in the league or on your team to decide whether to slow or speed up your builds to compete for a championship?

In the sense that I’m able to ‘look for’ anything with my fleeting time availability and interest, I’m at the place where I could trade a little future to get a piece that I think puts me in the conversation, and if not, I’ll probably make small deals on the edges for longer term improvement.

[Sources]

Is there any validity to what Sources around the league have indicated that the "Clowns" and "Jokers" you reference to are in fact the Pistons and the Bulls?