The Rockets and John Wall are still trying to figure out the next steps in his possible return to the court, but David Aldridge of The Athletic believes that Wall needs to maximize his window of opportunity and accept any role the club is offering.
Aldridge acknowledges that coming off the bench for a Rockets team that has struggled to win games (currently 5-16) would be very difficult for a competitor like Wall, but he thinks the only way for the point guard to show his value to other teams is by proving his effectiveness on the court — no matter the minutes.
Other teams are still interested in Wall as a player, but not with the enormous amount of money remaining on his contract ($44.31MM this season and a $47.37MM player option next season).
“He’s still really good,” a GM texted Aldridge. “Just not at the number he currently makes.”
Aldridge thinks the trade market for Wall could develop in the summer of 2022, once he picks up his player option. A huge expiring contract could create cap flexibility in the summer of 2023 for a team looking to pursue free top agents.
Aldridge writes that Wall should look at Derrick Rose‘s path in order to revive his career. Both players were extremely athletic and unfortunately derailed by injuries, but after bouncing around for a few seasons on minimum deals, Rose was able to rebuild contractual value by becoming a more efficient scorer off the bench. The Knicks re-signed Rose to a three-year, $43.5MM ($28MM guaranteed) contract last summer.
It’s an interesting piece and worth checking out in full for any Athletic subscribers — Aldridge knows Wall very well and covered him for years in Washington.
Here’s more from Houston:
- Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle explores shooting guard Garrison Mathews‘ journey to the NBA. The Tennessee native has averaged 16.3 PPG and 3.0 RPG on .568/.516/.778 shooting during Houston’s four-game winning streak.
- Number two overall pick Jalen Green may be sidelined at the moment, but if he’s been paying attention, it’s still an opportunity to learn and grow as a player, as Jerome Solomon of The Houston Chronicle details. The Rockets haven’t lost a game since Green was injured a week ago, so he’s been able to watch what it takes to win at the NBA level.
- Backup point guard D.J. Augustin has been cleared to play Friday night against the Magic, Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle writes. Augustin had been in the league’s health and safety protocols after COVID-19 a test came back inconclusive. Augustin is fully vaccinated, but his daughter contracted the virus and he was a close contact. Feigen writes that Augustin produced two negative tests 24 hours apart and thus was cleared to return.
I know this isn’t the NFL but could Wall renegotiate his contract if he’s traded.
It would be a win-win-win situation.
Let’s say for example
Wall to the Clippers for Bledsloe, Morris and Keon Johnson.
Salary wise it all works out.
But then Wall renegotiates his contract so instead of 44mil this season plus 47mil player option next year. Him and the clippers agree to 90mil/3year deal, 30 mil a season for the next three seasons.
This instead of receiving 91mil in the next two years and being stuck with the Rockets who aren’t playing him he surrenders 1mil and spreads out his earnings over three years, in order to move to a title contender and get some playing time.
Rockets are happy cause they get rid of him and have two vets that they can either trade or hold onto.
John Wall is happy cause he gets playing time, in LA, on a team that will go deep in the playoffs and could have a chance at winning.
Clippers are happy cause they get an upgrade and ship away two below average players. Wall isn’t the same all star level player he was but he’s still pretty good and he proved that. Plus if they don’t like what they saw. Come the offseason they can try trade him at 30mil a season for two season.
No you can’t renegotiate contracts in the NBA!
But I don’t think Optimus Dime would like to pay a $1M to play the third year… as is now he gets his money & even with a minimum contract in year 3 he will be like $4M better off, playing for the Clips ain’t that special, neither are they contenders… but he is good enough to play anywhere without having to lose money!
Wall 1000% should start, as he should have thos whole time. He fits perfectly with their young guards/shooters, and will only help them in several areas. The narrative that claims that as an issue makes no sense, and never did
Completely agree here. Wall would have been excellent to help develop Green and Porter Jr. but I think they were banking on a trade by now. And putting all the faith in KPJ.
They want him to earn a start, especially after the last few game from KPJ. I’d give him strong mins off the bench, he’ll get 20pts and he’ll start the following game, problem solved.
Agree…he still very good player.let him raise his value
And they’ll probably win games and have a pick in the 6-10 range as opposed to the guaranteed 1-5 that being the worst team in the league guarantees you.
They’re on a 5-0 run anyway. KPJ has come off twice with a thigh contusion.
It’s bad management. Rest him for a couple games get wall on the court for a few games add some value and it’s win win. OKC did the real tank last year benching SGA in the las 20
Yeah, I’m not happy with the winning run. I’m just hoping it’s to build up Wood’s value since he shouldn’t be a part of the team’s future with Sengun on the team anyway.
My thoughts exactly. There’s nothing to play for except building Wood, Gordon and House value. Wood needs to be shipped before he has another long term injury, which will happen. Sengun deserves a start, or at least better mins. There are some good prospects coming out of the draft. Need to move wood before long as I don’t think his value can be higher than it is now.
Seems management is mismanaging their star players today. Instead keeping them healthy and productive. They push them away and create conflict. Wall, Ben, Simmons. How can you trade and move on. Seems like bad business to me.
Rockets are tanking, and should let Wall play in other Leagues, but not the NBA
Europe or Australia
Why not waive him even? Same result if you are not playing him, may even get lucky, and develop a G-leaguer with that spot
If they waive him they’ll still have to pay him. Which is what they don’t want. Seems to me like they’re trying to force his hand to opt out of his player option next year to play for someone else. I can’t see anyone trading for him this year. Maybe Clippers if Kawhi returns before the deadline and they think they can challenge. Their window is win now so it’s possible. But unlikely. It’s bad tactics, play the man and someone may go for him before the deadline.
I commented under the assumption that everyone is confident Wall is not giving up $47 million next season
Rockets are paying the money, and not playing him
That is waiving him by your definition & the league
Let him go to another league under contract with Houston still, to be able to trade tbe contract if something comes up (not happening this season, maybe summer… Maybe)
What does Houston care if he is injured?
Any team spending 47 Million on 1 player is starting a rebuild like Houston, so it wouldn’t really matter if he could play or not in January 2023…
The only reason not to waive him is losing the ability to trade his contract
Why would Houston’s bottom line care if Wall double-dipped? He isn’t even really with the team, atleast a G-leaguer would be on a minimum
Seems thats the argument, nobody wants Wall making more money
No argument here. What I was getting at is that it seems like they’re benching him in the hope that he gets frustrated like he is and opts out of his option. Or gets a trade.
The problem with that is there are no teams willing to trade for him if he’s not playing. So he’ll essentially be an extremely high paid spectator.
It’s sad to see because even post injury last year he looked a very good player. Any team short at the guard would love to have him. Just not on that salary, unless he’s proven himself on the court. It’s just bad team management.
Yes, but then I am the first word of my profile name spelled backwards
I do not believe, nor assume Wall, or Houston is getting out of $93 million dollars
Wall frustrated, and opts out….
Do you know how many players have had 15 year NBA careers, and not made $20 million?
I don’t, but you can bet your ass John Wall does, and is giving back nothing