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.