The Washington Wizards don't have many expectations heading into next season.
Talent wise, Washington has improved their roster in correlation to where things stood when the season ended in April, but despite that, the Wizards aren't expected to make marginal progress this coming season, if any.
Despite that, the disrespect from outsiders may be the Wizards biggest weapon of all.
Washington's players believe in the team general manager Will Dawkins has put together. More specifically, the team's newest addition Cam Whitmore has shown irrational confidence in the product Washingtion could put on the floor this season.
Not only has Whitmore expressed confidence in his new team, but he's expressed confidence in the team's leader.
Head coach Brian Keefe seems to be the man for the job, and his ability to be a players coach and convince talent to buy in could bode well for how things unfold this coming season.
The players have the upmost confidence in what's beiing build in the DMV and with Keefe steering the ship, they'll follow as he leads.
It's clear that the Wizards front office has made it a priority to surround the young talent on the roster with veterans and looking at players like CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton, it's hard to understand exactly why projections like ESPN's suggests Washington will be just as bad as they were a year ago.
Not only do the Wizards have young players looking to breakout in their sophomore campaigns like Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George, but they also have one of the best incoming rookies entering the season in Tre Johnson.
Earlier in the offseason, Washington's flurry of moves began conversations that the Wizards could be a potential team to sneak into the play-in conversation.
Now? The disrespect continues to grow and the Wizards aren't even being considered as a play-in contender, but instead a lottery projected team.
It's easy to write off a rebuilding squad, but it''s hard to overlook a team that makes you see them.
If Washington can use the disrespect as fuel, they have everything they need at their disposal to make a run.
Perhaps a playoff bid isn't in the team's cards this season, but it wouldn't be shocking at all if the Wizards were able to exceed expectations and prove that they're building something special in the DMV.
Keep an eye on Washington to make noise, even when they're expected not to.