Washington’s 2025-26 training camp roster is exceptionally young, signaling a deliberate rebuild. 21 players, 14 with three or fewer NBA seasons, point to a youth-first approach under Monumental Basketball president Michael Winger and Wizards GM Will Dawkins. The front office is weighing two-way and Exhibit 10 paths, with several players likely headed to the Capital City Go-Go for G League seasoning as the rotation narrows before opening night.

Bilal Coulibaly's 2023 draft stock gets a fresh re-positioning, with a path to higher ceiling shaded by defense and explosive tools, even as shot-making and consistency linger. The exercise reshuffles Amen and Ausar Thompson, Dereck Lively II, Brandin Podziemski and a host of peers, illustrating how a deep class can bend to fit and opportunity. The Wizards' potential do-over haul could look different, but Coulibaly remains a core two-way prospect with upside.

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.

Justin Champagnie’s breakout with Washington makes him a true fantasy sleeper. After a two-way start, he earned a multi-year deal and stepped into expanded minutes when Kuzma was moved, delivering efficient scoring and solid rebounding. The Statistical Doppelganger Machine matched him to Aldama, DiVincenzo and Siakam-type forwards, signaling a versatile path with scoring, defense and growth upside.

With a small sample (about 1,340 minutes), risk remains, but Washington’s rebuild creates opportunity. If he maintains development, Champagnie could become a late-round target—a multi-position wing who contributes points, boards and defensive stats, with room to grow into a higher ceiling.