Bilal Coulibaly underwent surgery on a right-thumb ligament, a move that likely sidelines him at the start of the 2025-26 season. The 21-year-old No. 7 pick averaged 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in Eurobasket, flashing development after a breakout sophomore year (12.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG). Washington’s brightest young core—Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Will Riley—now faces an early-season rise in responsibility, joined by Cam Whitmore and other first‑round hopefuls. Veteran help from CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton, plus a reshaped rotation after Poole’s move to New Orleans, keeps playoff odds distant ( +3000 ) but not impossible if the youth flourishes.

The Wizards’ 2023-24 and 2024-25 narratives converge: minimal recent wins, a hopeful pipeline, and a front office embracing youth with a veteran bridge. The injury compounds uncertainty around opening-night lineups, tempo, and scoring balance, but it also sets up late-season momentum if Coulibaly returns healthy and the rookies hit their marks. The margin remains thin, but the path to relevance for Washington stays open with the right development arc.

EuroBasket 2025 kicks off Aug 27 and runs through Sept 14, spotlighting Jokic-led Serbia, skin-on-fire Doncic as Slovenia eyes glory, and Giannis steering Greece. Porzingis, Sengun, Markkanen and Wagner are among NBA stars carrying heavy fantasy weight as Europe hosts group play in Cyprus, Finland, Latvia and Poland. 18 NBA teams feature players, and the tournament doubles as a high-variance mini-stage for fantasy managers chasing breakout performances and late-season form.

Key names to watch include Jokic's playmaking surge for Serbia, Doncic's elite athleticism return after knee concerns, Porzingis' 3-point floor-spreading impact, Sengun's breakout potential as Houston's hub, and Markkanen's rejuvenated efficiency. Franz Wagner and Deni Avdija offer versatile wings for Germany and Israel, while Vucevic, Aldama and Middleton provide veteran floor presence and potential value upside as the field narrows toward knockout rounds.

Milwaukee stacked depth this summer, importing Cole Anthony, Gary Harris and Myles Turner while locking in Chris Livingston, Kevin Porter Jr., Bobby Portis, Taurean Prince, Ryan Rollins, Jericho Sims and Gary Trent Jr. The plan aimed to please Giannis Antetokounmpo by shoring up a shaky supporting cast and maximizing roster space, even as Damian Lillard was waived to create room. The move sparked questions about staying power, given a history of dismantling since 2021 and a market-starved asset cupboard.

Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes hints that Giannis could become a deadline trade focal point if the Bucks don’t show real progress. The Greek Freak’s future hinges on whether Milwaukee can construct a credible path to contention, or if the looming possibility of relocation becomes a practical reality. Fantasy managers should watch rotation shifts and usage spikes as the Bucks test a higher-variance, deep-rotation approach this season.

In sum, the franchise posture signals a pivotal season: a roster overhaul with an eye on immediate gains and long-term flexibility, but the creaking question remains whether the supporting cast can sustain a title bid without Giannis defecting to greener pastures at the deadline.