4 Young players the Wizards should develop, 4 to give up on
By Tyler Watts
The Washington Wizards are just starting a rebuilding, which comes with a plethora of difficult decisions. It has been a busy summer that saw Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis traded out of town. The new front office has already started accumulating assets, but figuring out who should be part of their core is the toughest part.
The Wizards traded up to draft Bilal Coulibaly seventh overall, and they are hyped about the French teenager, but who else should join him as a long-term piece. Kyle Kuzma just signed a four-year deal to give them a veteran presence, but the Wizards need more than two players to build around.
It is going to be a rough season in the nation’s capital, but one that should be focused on developing their young talent. Which players should the franchise prioritize?
4 Players the Washington Wizards should develop, 4 they shouldn’t
Develop: Bilal Coulibaly
The 19-year-old was one of the draft’s biggest risers. Few had him being selected at the start of the season, but playing next to number-one overall pick Victor Wembanyama boosted his profile. Coulibaly showcased a versatile skill set to go with the size and length NBA teams love on the wing.
His jumper is questionable, but Coulibaly’s ability to guard multiple positions, rebound, make plays, and finish inside had teams intrigued. Improving his shot will make Coulibaly a key role player for the next 15 years. He has taken a tremendous leap over the last year, and the 6’7 wing still has a ton of untapped potential.
The Washington Wizards need to get the best out of Bilal Coulibaly if they want to get back into contention over the next four years, but who else should they prioritize?