In this episode of the #SoWizards Podcast, I’m joined by Troy Haliburton to discuss all things Wizards — everything from the season opener to player development and the team’s long-term competitive strategy.

Our conversation covered:

• Last season’s performance
• The coaching change and the emphasis on teaching and development
• Roster changes — who left and the new arrivals
• Jordan Poole’s role and realistic expectations for him this season
• Corey Kispert’s new contract and NBA future
• Over/under predictions for the team’s rotation based on my preseason PPA forecast
• What to expect from the rookies, and
• Final predictions.

Along the way, we discovered definitive statistical proof that Troy is more optimistic than I am (he took the over on six of the 11 players we discussed, while I went over on just three).

Interestingly, while we noted that last year’s team was the worst in franchise history, and this year’s team is probably worse, we’re both more optimistic about the team’s direction than we have been in years. That’s because the losing is part of a long-term strategic plan to build a future winner.

They may fail to build that winner, but they’ve chosen a direction, and it’s not on the treadmill of mediocrity they’d been on for so long.

Listen here, below, or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Washington Wizards have launched into a busy and somewhat perplexing offseason. Joining me to help make sense of the team's roster moves and long-term plan is my former cohost and longtime friend, Ben Becker.

Ben is a stalwart member of the Wizards' online community from message boards to Bullets Forever to Twitter, X and podcasts.

In this episode we discuss:

• The Wizards' 2024 draft, and the team's overall draft strategy
• The art of building a competitive roster that's designed to help young players grow while continuing to lose
• Roster moves, including signing Jonas Valanciunas and re-signing Richaun Holmes
• Predicted trade values for the team's veterans, and
• Notable or surprising moves around the NBA so far this summer.

The Washington Wizards made one deal at the trade deadline, sending starting center Daniel Gafford to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for a first round pick and center Richaun Holmes.

Holmes is on the wrong side of 30 and hasn't been much good in a few years now. Gafford is pretty good and just 25 years old, so what gives?

Ben Becker and I break down what the Wizards front office is likely thinking and discuss what the lack of trades involving Kyle Kuzma, Tyus Jones, Delon Wright, Landry Shamet, and Corey Kispert says about the state of the Wizards.