Bilal Coulibaly will be a free agent at season’s end.
The Wizards’ second-longest tenured player failed to reach an agreement with the team ahead of Monday’s 6 p.m. deadline for rookie extensions.
Coulibaly was eligible for a four-year extension at the end of his current rookie deal. Given Coulibaly’s status as a role player, his extension would have likely looked similar to the deals Washington gave to Deni Avdija in 2023 (four years, $55 million) and Corey Kispert in 2024 (four years, $54 million).
Coulibaly was asked about his contract situation at media day last month and said he wasn’t worried about it.
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“I’m just focused on basketball,” Coulibaly said. “Just being out here with the guys, it’s gonna build chemistry and stuff like that. … I’m not really thinking about everything that comes around, all the talking. Just focused on bettering myself and making the team better, too.”
The 22-year-old is the first player of the Wizards’ young core to be extension eligible. Drafted No. 7 overall by the Pacers in 2023, his rights were traded to the Wizards for Jarace Walker (the No. 8 pick) and two second-round selections. Coulibaly was the first pick made by Monumental Basketball President Michael Winger and Wizards GM Will Dawkins, who were hired a month before the draft.
When Coulibaly was drafted, the 6-foot-7 wing was more known for being the other draft prospect from France’s Metropolitans 92 — his teammate, Victor Wembanyama, went No. 1 overall. In three NBA seasons, Coulibaly has averaged 10.8 points on 43% shooting, but he’s shot just 31% from 3-point range. He’s one of the Wizards best on-ball defenders on a team that has consistently ranked among the league’s worst defensive squads. Coulibaly has also faced injury issues, reaching 60 games played just once in three seasons.
He will make $9.2 million this season in the final year of his four-year, $30 million contract he signed as a rookie. He will be a restricted free agent as long as the Wizards make him a qualifying offer at the start of 2027 free agency. That qualifying offer would be worth $10.3 million.
With Coulibaly’s contract situation settled for now, the Wizards can turn their attention to Anthony Davis, who has been eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension since August. ESPN previously reported that the Wizards and Davis were postponing talks until the quarter mark of the regular season. At media day, Davis said he would decide on his future with the organization “when the season is over.”
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