Wizards forward Bilal Coulibaly has been cleared to make his regular season debut, according to head coach Brian Keefe, who told reporters today that Coulibaly will be available for Thursday’s game in Oklahoma City (Twitter link via Josh Robbins of The Athletic).
The seventh overall pick of the 2023 draft, Coulibaly underwent surgery last month to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. He suffered that injury while playing for the French national team at EuroBasket 2025 and missed the entire preseason, as well as the first four games of the regular season.
Coulibaly was a full-time starter for the Wizards in 2024/25, averaging 12.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.3 steals in 33.0 minutes per game across 59 outings. Although his shooting percentages slipped to 42.1% from the field and 28.1% on three-point attempts, the 6’8″ wing has shown some promise as a two-way wing and just turned 21 in July.
So far this season, the Wizards have been using a starting five of Bub Carrington, CJ McCollum, Kyshawn George, Khris Middleton, and Alex Sarr, which has posted a net rating of -7.2 in 69 minutes of action. It’s unclear if Coulibaly will be reinserted into the lineup in place of one of those players or if he’ll come off the bench initially.
Coulibaly is one of six Washington players whose contract includes a rookie scale team option for 2026/27. The Wizards have until Friday’s deadline to make decisions on those, and it would come as a major surprise if they don’t pick up their $9.24MM fourth-year option on Coulibaly.
Trade Bagley, Champagnie, Vukcevic and Cooper’s two contracts with picks for a young PF starter.
Waive Middleton and McCollum
Sign a backup shot blocking C and a veteran SG/PG and a veteran SF on cheap contracts that don’t require minutes
Rebuild done
What young PF starter are you getting in a Trade for two minimum contracts?
Looking forward to seeing him back.
Not thrilled with Cam Whitmore so far. He really looks small, the guy is 6’5 and doesn’t have long arms. He’s having a hard time catching lobs.
He plays with energy, but there’s little substance to his game.