Wizards Notes: Coulibaly, A. Johnson, T. Johnson, Rebuild

Third-year Wizards forward Bilal Coulibaly will be sidelined for Wednesday’s regular season opener in Milwaukee, head coach Brian Keefe told reporters, including Josh Robbins of The Athletic (Twitter link).

Coulibaly, the seventh overall pick of the 2023 draft, underwent right thumb surgery on September 12 after suffering a torn ligament in the digit while playing for the French national team at EuroBasket 2025. A subsequent report stated the 21-year-old would likely be out six-to-eight weeks, so he may be still be out a few more weeks.

A 6’8″ wing, Coulibaly was a full-time starter for Washington in 2024/25, averaging 12.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals in 59 games (33.0 MPG). His second season was cut short due to a hamstring injury he sustained in March.

Second-year guard AJ Johnson, meanwhile, will be good to go against the Bucks after missing the entire preseason with a leg bruise.

Here’s more on the Wizards:

• Robbins of The Athletic spoke to five anonymous scouts from rival teams to learn what they think of rookie guard Tre Johnson, whom the Wizards selected sixth overall in June. As Robbins notes, Coulibaly and 2024 No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr were rightly viewed by scouts as defensive prospects, whereas Johnson is known for his offense — particularly his jump shot. There are question marks about the 19-year-old’s defense, but one talent evaluator thinks Johnson could develop into the third-best player on a contender, comparing his ceiling to a player who made his first All-Star appearance last season. “I don’t know that he gets to the Tyler Herro level,” the scout told Robbins. “But could that be the best-case scenario for him, a guy who can create a little bit off the dribble? Maybe he follows that. I think he’s got a chance to be a little bit better defensively than Tyler but maybe not as good offensively if the shooting doesn’t get to Tyler’s level. If it all goes well, and he kind of progresses along, that’s not a crazy projection for him.”
• In a column for The Washington Post, Candace Buckner questions whether the Wizards’ rebuild is on track — and whether it’s possible to even answer that question. As Buckner observes, the team appears no closer to being competitive than it was two years ago when the current front office — led by president Michael Winger — took over from the previous regime. The uncertainty of how long it will take to break out of the prolonged stretch of losing will eventually start to wear on everyone involved, Buckner adds, even as the Wizards publicly preach patience.
• In case you missed it, the Wizards set their roster for the regular season by waiving second-year forward Dillon Jones on Sunday. You can read more details right here.