Rockets point guard John Wall, now waylaid indefinitely with a right hamstring strain, believes he is still a high-level player, telling reporters over the weekend that he feels he’s still “an All-Star in this league,” per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.
Wall appeared in 40 games for Houston, his first on-court action since December 26, 2018, and averaged 20.6 PPG, 6.9 APG, and 3.2 RPG, while connecting on 40.4% of his field goal looks.
“Nobody really thought he would be able to play at a level, probably, too close to what he’s playing right now,” head coach Stephen Silas said of Wall’s play this season. “He’s proving a lot of people wrong and proving a lot to a lot of people. I’m his biggest fan.”
Feigen adds in a separate story that Silas remains hopeful Wall can still return to the court for the Rockets before the end of the year.
There’s more out of the Southwest Division:
- Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan has been reliably solid on offense in late-game scenarios, writes Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express-News. “I’m pretty sure San Antonio — as fans, the organization — appreciates him,” fellow Spurs guard Dejounte Murray noted of his veteran teammate, who will reach free agency this summer.
- Despite 2019 No. 1 draft pick Zion Williamson making his first All-Star team and Brandon Ingram, an All-Star in his own right last season, having another strong year, the Pelicans will almost certainly fall short of their playoff expectations for this season, as Scott Kushner of NOLA.com details. The Pelicans are currently four games behind the tenth-seeded Warriors for a crack at the play-in tournament, with just 11 games left to play for both teams.
- It took multiple knee surgeries, but Grizzlies power forward Jontay Porter finally made his NBA debut last month, nearly three years after his last college game. Evan Barnes of The Memphis Commercial Appeal examines Porter’s journey to this point. The 21-year-old out of Missouri, younger brother to Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., has now appeared sparingly in eight games for Memphis.
I want to see the Lakers sign and trade Schroder to the rockets for Wall.
Won’t work unless the Rockets are willing to pay Schroder close to $40M.
Either that or the Lakers would have to include Kuzma or KCP in the trade for salary matching purposes. In any case I doubt Houston is interested.
DeRozan will be 32 next yr. I’m really not sure who would go for him. Contenders do t have cap space. He’s having a solid good yr. Market wise he’s gotta get at least 25 mill. Who does he help most. Mavs could use him. Knicks could use him but I rather a younger player. Spurs probably resign him.
Spurs don’t believe in their young core
It would be a Texas two-step in-one, if the Mavs could lure Derozan from the Spurs. Not a good look for Popovich, and the Mavs would be clear #1 in Texas, and bigger contenders for the overall title. They do have the money next year I think.
Why would Derozan do it?— b/c he feels underrated, he did not choose the Spurs, and could run with Doncic & Zinger.
Spurs of course will be motivated to offer high… they were right to cast off Aldredge, and will want to keep their name high in Texas. And Derozan’s worth it.
Dallas has over 40 mill in cap space, Also losing Hardaway. DeRozan is good way to show Luka how much they care. DeRozan more consistent scorer. And with Luka can probably avg 25 pts. Seems like a good fit. Mavs get a big to play with KP. They can take another big step up.