By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Bilal Coulibaly is now entering a pivotal contract year with the Washington Wizards. The young French wing will earn $9.2 million this season. This is the final year of the rookie deal he signed after the 2023 NBA Draft, presented by State Farm.
Coulibaly was one of 23 players eligible for a rookie scale extension this offseason. However, he did not reach an agreement with Washington before the deadline on Monday. Instead, he joined a group of 14 players across the league who are now playing out their current contracts. He shares this scenario with Anthony Black, Scoot Henderson, Noah Clowney, Dereck Lively II, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Brice Sensabaugh, and others.
As a result, the Paris native is on track to become a restricted free agent next summer. To maintain his matching rights, the Wizards must tender a qualifying offer worth $10.3 million. This mechanism allows them to match any outside offer sheet from rival teams.
Since coming to the NBA from Metropolitans 92 after sharing the floor with Victor Wembanyama during the 2022–23 season, Coulibaly has built a reputation as a reliable perimeter defender. Injuries shortened his first three seasons, but his development remains steady. He averaged 10.8 points per game over 178 career appearances, and started 56 games last season. He also won an Olympic silver medal with France in 2024.
Moving into the 2026–27 Regular Season, a strong performance this year would directly increase his market value before he hits free agency.
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