As the Washington Wizards begin the second year of their rebuilding process, the team remains focused on developing young talents and maximizing their potential in the draft. With veterans like Malcolm Brogdon potentially on the trade block, the Wizards are aiming for a high pick in the 2025 draft, including the highly coveted Cooper Flagg. However, the early returns on their recent draft picks may already be raising warning signs among fans.
Alex Sarr, the second overall pick, had a disappointing showing in the summer league, highlighted by a game in which he missed all of his shots, going 0 for 15. His struggles have cast a shadow over what was expected to be a promising start. Coulibaly, another key lottery pick, performed well in Vegas but has since become the second high draft pick to fail to meet expectations.
The Wizards made a bold move in the 2023 draft, trading up to select Bilal Coulibaly with the seventh overall pick. While he played significant minutes as a rookie, his performance fell short of expectations. The team had high hopes for a leap in his second year, making his disappointing showing for France at the 2024 Olympics even more frustrating.
Coulibaly’s Olympic Struggles Raise Concerns
Coulibaly, standing at 1.98m tall, represented the French Senior National Team for the first time at the Olympics. Although he had previously played in the Under-18 European Championship in 2022, this was a significant step up in competition.
France entered the Olympics with a strong frontcourt led by Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert, but their backcourt and wing positions were less certain. Despite early struggles in exhibition games, France found its rhythm during the tournament, winning two of three group stage games and making a surprising run to the gold medal final.
However, Coulibaly played a minimal role throughout the competition. In five appearances, he averaged just 2.4 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.6 assists, and 0.4 blocks in 11.4 minutes per game, registering the second-lowest playing time on the team. Only Nando de Colo, who played sporadically, had fewer minutes.
France turned to Isaia Cordinier, Frank Ntilikina, and Andrew Albicy in crucial moments instead of Coulibaly. The fact that the Wizards' top-10 pick was sidelined in favor of non-NBA players is concerning, especially considering Coulibaly's opportunity to make an impact on the international stage.
As the Wizards prioritize development this season, Bilal Coulibaly is expected to see significant playing time. However, after posting one of the lowest value over replacement player (VORP) ratings in the NBA as a rookie, the 20-year-old must make significant improvements. The pressure is on Coulibaly to prove that he can be a cornerstone for Washington's future.
The 2024-25 season is crucial for Coulibaly. With three new first-round picks added to the roster, the Wizards are in the process of shaping their core. While his Olympic performance was far from ideal, development is generally a gradual process. Opportunities will be there for Coulibaly — now it’s up to him to capitalize on them.
