The Los Angeles Lakers’ search for athletic two-way wings has continued into the 2026 offseason, with a host of free agent, draft and trade targets constantly linked to the franchise. One relatively new name who falls into that third category could be an interesting pickup, carrying a wealth of potential despite concerns over his offense.
Lakers Urged To ‘Take a Flier On’ Wizards’ Defensive Ace
Iztok Franko: Lakers Should Look at Bilal Coulibaly
In a June 9 appearance on “Buha’s Block,” NBA writer Iztok Franko brought up several potential trade targets for the Lakers, players who have shown promise despite suiting up for the league’s bottom-feeders. Franko first mentioned Herb Jones and Nic Claxton—two names heavily tied to LA in recent years—before throwing in a more underrated option: Bilal Coulibaly.
“A young guy who I maybe take a flier on and is also on a terrible team in Washington … is Bilal Coulibaly. He has potential to be [a] great defender. I see a lot of Derrick Jones Jr. in him, but even a bigger ceiling. And I don’t know what the situation will be in Washington if they draft a great wing to build around, and now they have Trae Young, they have other players in the same position [as Coulibaly]. Maybe he’s the guy who’d be the odd man out.”
Coulibaly will earn $9.2 million next season as part of his rookie scale deal, and the Lakers have adequate draft capital and salary fillers (Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht) to pursue him if he becomes available.
Coulibaly’s Polarizing Play
The seventh overall pick in 2023, Coulibaly has emerged as a solid stopper in Washington, averaging 1.3 steals and a block per game this season and posting similar numbers throughout his three-year career. A 6’7” guard/wing, Coulibaly has stood out as an agile and versatile defender, pressuring opponents on the perimeter while timing his stocks to a tee.
The top 5 in Perimeter Isolation Defense
1. Luguentz Dort 3.20
2. Dyson Daniels 2.83
3. Jaylen Wells 2.53
4. Stephon Castle 2.51
5. Bilal Coulibaly 2.50— BBall Index (@The_BBall_Index) March 24, 2026
Coulibaly’s offense, however, has left more to be desired. Despite offseason thumb surgery limiting him to 56 games (all starts) this year, the Frenchman averaged 11.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 42.5% from the field and 31.9% from the free-throw line. After the All-Star break, however, something clicked for the 21-year-old: he put up 14.6 points per game on 45.6% shooting from the field and 38.7% from deep, all while remaining productive in other prominent statistical categories (4.2 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.0 BPG). March, in particular, was a revelation for Coulibaly, as he posted five games with 20+ points.
Coulibaly’s Fit With the Lakers
Coulibaly’s defense and hops make him a promising asset for the Lakers, who still need to add younger, athletic pieces to the roster. He fits that mold perfectly, even with the offensive inconsistency. However, that side of his game could easily improve next to Doncic and Austin Reaves, who could further unlock Coulibaly as a threat off the lob and on the perimeter.
I really like Coulibaly's defense, but I do worry about his offensive consistency and how much his form can fluctuate.
That said, we've never seen him in a winning environment. Playing alongside Doncic and Reaves could very well accelerate his development and help balance the… https://t.co/pbmnEe5TiG
— Lakers UK | News & Updates (@lalakersuk) June 14, 2026
Depending on how the rest of the roster looks, Coulibaly could either slide into the starting five or be a key boost off the bench. For an organization focused on player development, perhaps he could follow a trajectory similar to ex-Wizard Rui Hachimura, who grew into one of the Lakers’ best 3-point shooters and is coming off the best postseason of his career.
If the Lakers are serious about upgrading on the wings, taking a chance on Coulibaly and maximizing his potential could pay dividends for them going forward.
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