An NBA expert points to two current NBA players as possible comparisons for what Bilal Coulibaly's contract extension could look like with the Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are in the first lull phase of the offseason with a waiting game until the NBA Draft lottery materializes on May 10 with all eyes on who lands the top overall pick.
While June also gives general manager Will Dawkins and the front office to capitalize on the three picks including a top five selection, Washington will also have to address Trae Young's status with the expectation that he declines his player option as he and the Wizards eye a new contract. Yet there's another question looming for Dawkins and company with July 1 marking the first day the front office will have a decision to make about the team's first draft selection under new management.
Both Bilal Coulibaly and Cam Whitmore enter July eligible for rookie extensions, though Coulibaly is the one with the question mark on what materializes after flashing in 2025-26.
After averaging 11.7 points and 4.3 rebounds on nearly 43% shooting from the field and 32% from three point in his third NBA season, Coulibaly flashed his two way potential during a second half of the season that saw much of the usual supporting cast sidelined.
He ended his season posting blocks in each of his last three games and eight of his final 12 games, while for the second consecutive season, Coulibaly averaged 1.3 steals while notching a career-high 3.5 rebounds.
Yet with Coulibaly the first of several rookies in line to get paid over the next three years, coupled with a looming new deal for Trae Young, the question has been what that new contract could look like. Keith Smith of Spotrac noted the Wizards, "have to be careful with Bilal Coulibaly" as they enter the first round of negotiations.
"Washington has done a really good job over the years of getting guys on fairly friendly extensions - Corey Kispert, Deni Avdija. If you can get Bilal Coulibaly on something like that, sure, go and do it," Smith said on Locked On Wizards.
Both Kispert and Avdija are both on four year deals with Avdija making one million dollars more, adding intrigue to a possible framework for what Coulibaly could be in line for.
Yet the other side of the equation is whether Coulibaly would accept a similar contract, which Smith also questioned.
"But if I'm Bilal Coulibaly, I might be thinking 'you know what, let me bet on myself here' because that'll still be there next summer, in the summer of 2027 if I want to go that way and we'll kind of go forward from there."
Spotrac projected with Wizards to enter the offseason with $60.6 million in projected luxury tax space with 13 players currently under roster ahead of the upcoming NBA Draft, while Young is one of five potential free agents for the Wizards to address.