The Washington Wizards' undefeated preseason run ended on October 12 with a 122-131 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. This result shifts focus squarely onto Bilal Coulibaly's future, as the young forward enters a critical contract year with an extension deadline of October 19 fast approaching.
Coulibaly is entering the final year of his rookie contract. The team must decide whether to offer him a long-term extension before the October 19 deadline. Recent history provides a framework. Washington gave Deni Avdija and Corey Kispert four-year deals worth $55 million and $54 million respectively before trading them. A similar decision on Coulibaly is now imminent.
His first three NBA seasons have been a mixed bag. The French wing has built a reputation as a high-level, foundational perimeter defender. Washington GM Will Dawkins has publicly praised that defensive ability. In 178 career games, Coulibaly has averaged 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks per contest. But his offensive development has lagged behind. He's averaged 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists on 42.6% shooting from the field and 31.3% from three-point range.
The recent preseason games offered a glimpse of his potential. In the October 12 loss to Brooklyn, Coulibaly was aggressive from the moment he checked in. He knocked down two three-pointers in his first two minutes and hit a third consecutive triple in the opening quarter. He turned defense into offense and was an integral part of Washington's early success in that game.
This performance followed positive preseason wins against the Detroit Pistons (114-108 on October 10) and the New York Knicks (111-109 on October 8). The Wizards' next test is an away game against the New Orleans Pelicans on October 16.
Coulibaly credits work with a shooting specialist since midway through the 2025-26 season for smoothing his shot. He appears to have removed a hitch from his jumper. This could allow him to attempt and make more difficult three-point shots. Playing alongside an elite playmaker like Trae Young, acquired last December, should also help. Coulibaly can operate more freely as an off-ball cutter and use his freak athleticism to attack the basket.
The key question is whether his offensive game can catch up to his elite defense. If he can raise his three-point percentage to around 35% on higher volume, he transforms into a genuine impact two-way player. That's the leap the Wizards envisioned when they drafted him in 2023.
But the path to playing time isn't guaranteed. The Wizards have added promising young talent on the wing, including drafting AJ Dybantsa and seeing positive development from Kyshawn George and Will Riley. Coulibaly must outperform this internal competition.
The 2026-27 NBA season is the biggest of his career. Will he break out and secure a lucrative second contract in Washington? Or will he become another first-round pick who didn't meet expectations? His performance in the preseason, particularly his shooting against Brooklyn, provides a sliver of optimism. The front office's hopes remain high that his fourth year is the one where it all clicks. The decision they make by October 19 will reveal just how much they believe that breakout is coming.
