3 reasons why the Washington Wizards will be fun to watch next season
By Cem Yolbulan
![ORLANDO, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 13: Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards dunks against the Orlando Magic during the first half at Amway Center on November 13, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 13: Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards dunks against the Orlando Magic during the first half at Amway Center on November 13, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/10f35f2e18f043b6d8cb50043dd37dd5bb309bb345fadd75d2e7578d9ecbda84.jpg)
Youth and dynamism
If your team is not competing for championships, the next best thing to have is a team with exciting young players with potential. And with the addition of Bilal Coulibaly from this year’s draft, the Washington Wizards will finally have a blue-chip prospect with a high upside.
The 19-year-old Coulibaly is certainly raw. He has plenty of holes in his game. He needs to improve his shooting, ballhandling, and strength. Just like most rookies, he is unlikely to impact winning immediately in his first year. However, he will bring a ton of dynamism, athleticism, and defensive playmaking to this Wizards team.
Coulibaly’s Summer League performance only added to this excitement. His rim protection was impressive, transition play exciting, and athleticism electrifying. He is quick, fast, and can jump out of the building. Watching his chase-down blocks and rim protection as a help defender will be thrilling to watch all season.
Moreover, the Wizards will be one of the youngest teams in the league. There will be no players above the age of 28 in the starting five. Delon Wright, Danilo Gallinari, and Mike Muscala will be the only players above 30 in the rotation, and how big of a role they will have is not clear.
Aside from Coulibaly, Johnny Davis, Deni Avdija, Corey Kispert, Daniel Gafford, Ryan Rollins, and Patrick Baldwin Jr. are additional pieces of a young, exciting core. Any lineup that has Coulibaly, Avdija, Davis, and Gafford will have good size, dynamism, athleticism, and defensive ability. They can create a ton of matchup problems for the other team.
These lineups will certainly struggle in half-court offense, but they can force turnovers and get out in transition. Playing in a fast-paced tempo with young players with a lot of energy will make the Wizards an exciting team to watch all season.