Heat Check

[Mike Lowry]

Okay, looks like we got Whip Appeal around this bitch!
Lost my case in the FEDs, had a fine levied, but we're not staying behind these bars too long.
First order of business was to get through the draft pickin up coins and assets like Mario Kart.
Feel good about the moves we made, especially after seeing Trayce Jackson-Davis put up the second most impressive training camp in the whole league.
Breanna Stewart continues to progress, as does JR Smith Jr.
Charles Jarrett did not die on me and looks primed to deliver on that contract year.
Picked up enough help in UFA to round me out and pick up some more points.
Players like Kimball and Bonilla will definitely have opportunity to show their value.
It's no secret that we want all these players gone before the all star break.
If you're rebuilding, and looking for solid prospects for the low - come to Death Row Records.
I'll take points and picks, or points with a marginally inferior player, or points and an equally talented player who is giving you tax headaches because of a ridiculous contract.
We here for all of that!
Until that materializes, we're gonna run with a lineup that looks something like this:

PG: Tindall
SG: Smith Jr.
SF: Jarrett
PF: Douglas
C: Menendez

We're gonna push the tempo with the youngsters and shoot the hell out of the 3 ball.
Sleep if you want to.
Closed mouths don't eat.

[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: The Heat churned back to #5 from the top pick with three very advantageous moves. What went down that made you select Trayce Jackson-Davis at #5 instead of trading back further?

[greepleairport]

Deep into the tax you’re staying active and making moves. What did you learn from your first run at greatness that you plan to change for your next title run?

[78#]

Hello, what realistic goals do you have for you team this season? How much JR. Smith Jr will we see this season?

[Mike Lowry]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: The Heat churned back to #5 from the top pick with three very advantageous moves. What went down that made you select Trayce Jackson-Davis at #5 instead of trading back further?

Thanks for the question, and the trade.

I guess there are 2 obvious answers to this question:

1st - I ran out of trade partners interested in 5 with the limited window.
I had strong negotiations with multiple GM's for the top pick.
I felt that I made the strongest trades I could manage up to that point, but the guys who I turned down seemed to fatigue of talking, and once I moved from 3 to 5, they were burnt out.
As I saw the the pieces move after the draft, I still think they didn't get the return that Jackson-Davis is.
I think it's just that thing of being left at the alter and moving in frustration.

Good News is
2nd - I'm not done yet!
I would love to move Jackson-Davis in season to a wealthy team who can offer a lucrative package.
Look for him and all my other talent to walk out the door soon.

[Mike Lowry]

Hello, what realistic goals do you have for you team this season? How much JR. Smith Jr will we see this season?

Thanks for the question.
You will see JR bent over coughing his lungs out multiple times this season.
We're gonna let him run.
And my ultimate goal is to work my way out of the tax.
So my immediate goals would be to trade all my players for point packages.

[Mike Lowry]

Deep into the tax you’re staying active and making moves. What did you learn from your first run at greatness that you plan to change for your next title run?

My biggest realization was the importance of contract precision.
Every player on the market is not worthy of super-max, and when I swung and missed, I wasn't willing to catch and release.
I learned that I don't always need an equal return on my investment.
Sometimes I have to make the move for the future.
And it looks like the rebuild process is less fulfilling, but possibly more fun than the winning process.
I'm having a blast moving all my pieces.
Way more people answer my offers now than when I was actively trying to get to the top.
If you're winning or competing for championships in this league, I commend you.
If you're not, and you're not trading, I imagine PBSL <expletive deleted> sucks.
So let's make some deals.