The Houston Rockets remain at an impasse with veteran point guard, John Wall. Coming into the 2021-22 NBA season, an agreement was made between the two sides that Wall would not play in games as the organization sought out the next team that he would play for.
Wall returned to the court last season after being away for almost two years because of injury. He suffered a heel injury and ruptured his Achilles, knocking him out for the duration of the 2019-20 season.
That injury ultimately ended his career with the Washington Wizards, as he was traded to the Rockets in a deal involving Russell Westbrook. In his first season in Houston, Wall averaged 20.6 points, 6.9 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 32.2 minutes per game.
Those are pretty solid statistics when you take into account how long he was away from the game. He may not have the same explosive athleticism as he did prior to the injury, but it was nice to see him get back on the court and produce.
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However, his time with the Rockets has seemingly come to an end as well. Houston’s plans are clear. They are in the process of a full tear-down rebuild. Four first-round picks were made in the 2021 NBA Draft and all four players selected were teenagers to hammer home just how long-term of an outlook the organization is taking.
Wall, who is 31, does not fit into that timeline. As a result, the Rockets wanted to move him, but that is easier said than done. While teams are expressing interest in him, it is not to trade for him. Instead, they want him to hit the open market.
Teams are expressing interest in Rockets guard John Wall should he become free on the market, sources say, but a trade or buyout remains unlikely. Wall has a whopping $91.7 million remaining on his contract through next season. He is currently not playing for the Rockets after the sides discussed in late November about him potentially playing.
Given how massive his contract is, a trade seems unlikely. No one is surrendering assets for Wall at this stage of his career. A buyout likely isn’t coming either, as Wall would miss out on the more than $47 million player option that he has for next season.
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It would be shocking to see him pass up on that money, as he wouldn’t come close to recouping it on the open market. It would be a surprise if a team signed him to a contract worth $47 million, let alone paying him that amount in one season.
Unless a team gets desperate for a point guard, John Wall is likely to remain with the Houston Rockets. Maybe something can be worked out that allows him to get onto the court again, but for now, the two sides seem content to wait things out and see if a potential suitor emerges.
