The Washington Wizards had to trade up one spot from No. 8 to No. 7 in Thursday’s NBA Draft to acquire talented Frenchman Bilal Coulibaly. Moving up one slot cost the Wizards two future second-round draft picks.
Wondering minds pondered why the Wizards traded up one spot for a player that would have been there at No. 8. However, it appears the No. 7 pick was coveted by more than the Wizards.
According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Indiana Pacers, who held the seventh overall pick, were in serious talks with the Golden State Warriors for a potential trade. The Warriors were offering a package that included Jonathan Kuminga for the Pacers’ No. 7 pick.
Considering the size and style of play, the Warriors could have targeted Coulibaly and did so to replace Kuminga for a similar role. Kuminga and Coulibaly share height and similar skill traits. Both are listed at 6-foot-8 and forwards with guard tendencies such as dribbling and initiating the offense.
It’s safe to assume the Warriors jumping to No. 7 posed a threat to the Wizards for Coulibaly. That would have led to the Wizards having to regroup.
It’s unclear why the reported trade talks fell through. The Warriors have shopped Kuminga, attempting to shed current and future salary for the new CBA rules. For whatever reason, the Pacers ultimately landed on the Wizards’ offer.
The Pacers traded Coulibaly’s rights to the Wizards. The Wizards got their guy an 18-year-old Bilal Coulibaly with a great deal of upside. Meanwhile, the Wizards drafted forward Jarace Walker out of Houston and traded him to the Pacers. Indiana also received 2028 second-round draft picks to work with for a deal with Washington.
