With Summer League over and preseason roughly two months away, we take a look at the three questions the Washington Wizards still have to answer
With Summer League officially over and nearly two months until training camp begins, the Washington Wizards still have questions to answer as we dive into the three most pressing for general manager Will Dawkins and company.
Any More Contract Extensions?
The big domino materialized after Trae Young's extension was finalized early in free agency, but the front office has more questions to answer.
Both Bilal Coulibaly and Cam Whitmore are weeks into their extension windows with Coulibaly the one who may draw more intrigue given the former lottery pick offers a defensive stopper with ample potential on offense that flashed over his six 20-point games across the final 17 games. While there was plenty of reason to be confident one would materialize during the season, the makeup of the roster has changed that outlook with a chance for Coulibaly to earn it once more while playing on the final year of his deal. Yet developments in a long-term path have been quiet for Coulibaly ahead of year four.
Then, there's Anthony Davis, who is extension eligible beginning August 6. After all the back and forth about whether the ten-time All Star wants to be here, the dust has settled with a full season in Washington now viewed to be more likely. Other reports have also pointed to Davis eyeing a four year deal worth the max $275 million the Wizards can offer. General manager Will Dawkins has been consistent that Davis has been part of the front office's vision for the franchise, but will a deal ultimately materialize, and if so, at what price point?
Who's the fifth starter?
Maybe the biggest question for the Washington Wizards to answer that will take the longest to find the answer, but it's a good problem for head coach Brian Keefe to work through ahead of his third season as permanent head coach. Trae Young, AJ Dybantsa, Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr are staring at likely starting spots, but the debate begins there.
Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly and Will Riley all have cases to be made as to why each should get the nod. The combo of length and scoring that both George and Riley offer, in addition to Riley's fit on the ball, have made it a sensible pairing. Johnson adds instant offense and potential lethal scoring tandem alongside Young. Coulibaly may have the most natural fit among the group given his fit as the team's top defender, a title Jamir Watkins will look to challenge in 2026-27.
While Summer League offered a glimpse into the rookies, a handful of pieces along with several more looking to prove themselves, preseason will give a chance for this question to answer itself. There's also a side of this question not being answered prior to game one given the fifth starter could be matchup contingent, nonetheless, it marks the first time we've seen the young core have to compete for minutes.
Finalizing the roster
The first question that will be answered, Washington still has one roster spot to fill with the likely focus in the backcourt after the trade for Deandre Ayton filled the more pressing need in the frontcourt. Reece Beekman may have made the biggest case for himself while UNC guard Seth Trimble made a case to lead the Go-Go backcourt if he doesn't sign an NBA contract coming out of Summer League. Washington was also linked to a pair of veterans in Russell Westbrook and Gabe Vincent early in free agency, evidence that the Wizards could still go outside the organization to fill that spot.
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