NBA Mock Draft: Wizards Add Coulibaly Rival in First Round

Nearing the All-Star Break the Washington Wizards are projected to have one of the top picks in next season's NBA Draft.

When you look at the Washington Wizards roster there is an understanding that if and when it becomes a truly competitive group there are going to be quite a few differences from how it looks today.

Center Daniel Gafford has already been traded from the Wizards to the Dallas Mavericks and forward Kyle Kuzma was almost sent with him. 

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So it stands to reason that Kuzma may be in it for the long haul with Washington, and rookie guard Bilal Coulibaly has shown enough flashes of talent to believe he could be too.

In their latest mock NBA Draft Bleacher Report projects a former opponent of Coulibaly's to the Wizards in the form of forward Zaccharie Risacher from France's JL Bourg-en-Bresse.

Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) drives on Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) during the second half at Capital One Arena / Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

"The Washington Wizards' confidence in Bilal Coulibaly last June highlights a comfort level scouting and drafting from France's LNB Pro A," writes Jonathan Wasserman. "Considering Zaccharie Risacher played against Coulibaly last year, the Wizards figure to be familiar with the 6'8" 18-year-old who's broken out to become one of top shot-makers in this draft cycle. Despite being used exclusively off the ball for JL Bourg-en-Bresse, he's averaging 11.4 points on low usage (21.6 percent), capitalizing with a mix of catch-and-shoot fluidity, transition finishing and cutting that Washington could deem translatable to plug-and-play, complementary scoring."

Wasserman also points to Risacher's size, athleticism, production, and efficiency as reasons Washington might find the forward attractive while projecting the franchise to earn the No. 2 pick in next year's selection meeting. 

If the Wizards went back into the French talent pool in back-to-back years they'd be hoping this player's ability to create and do more than play off the ball is more about usage than ability.

Washington Wizards Draft Prospects: French Forward Zaccharie Risacher

Coulibaly was viewed as a pure defensive player who would need significant time to develop an offensive game, if ever, but has impressed in his first NBA season flashing talent on that end that many didn't expect.

In this mock, the Detroit Pistons come away with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft and select Perth Wildcats big-man Alexandre Sarr.

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