2:42pm: The Rockets don’t want to give up any first-round picks in a Wall trade, according to MacMahon. Realistically, the only way for Houston to avoid attaching a first-rounder would be to take back one or two unwanted contracts in the deal.
MacMahon adds that the Rockets wouldn’t want to engage in buyout talks until possibly the 2022 offseason.
12:31pm: The Rockets and John Wall have agreed to work together to try to find a new home for the veteran point guard, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic. Wall didn’t explicitly ask to be traded, but he isn’t part of Houston’s long-term plans, tweets Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston.
As Charania explains, the Rockets’ intention is for Wall to remain around the team, starting with training camp in two weeks, but he won’t play in games for Houston this season.
In a recent meeting between the two sides, team officials explained to Wall that they want to protect his health and avoid jeopardizing his fitness, which led them to agree to this plan, according to Charania, who adds that the club and the 31-year-old see “eye-to-eye” on the issue. As long as he remains around the team, the Rockets believe Wall’s veteran leadership will have a positive impact on youngsters like Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr., per Tim MacMahon of ESPN (Twitter link).
Sources tell Charania that the Rockets aren’t looking to negotiate a buyout of the two years and $91.7MM left on Wall’s contract, and are focused for now on finding a deal on the trade market. Given Wall’s pricey cap hits ($44.3MM this season, with a $47.4MM player option for 2022/23) and his injury history, he has negative trade value, so Houston would almost certainly have to attach assets to find a taker.
It’s unclear how much appetite the rebuilding Rockets will have to surrender future draft picks in order to move Wall. Even though they landed several first-rounders and pick swaps in last season’s James Harden trade, they don’t have a huge surplus of future selections, having previously sent out a pair of future first-rounders in their deal for Russell Westbrook.
Wall’s trade value should at least be a little higher than it was a year ago, when he was coming off a 2019/20 season fully lost to an Achilles injury. In 2020/21, he appeared in 40 games for the Rockets (32.2 MPG), averaging 20.6 PPG, 6.9 APG, and 3.2 RPG, albeit with a modest .404/.317/.749 shooting line.
As they explore their trade options for Wall, the Rockets will have to lean more heavily on Porter and D.J. Augustin. Charania indicates the team has also held discussions with free agent point guards in recent days, suggesting another player could be added to the mix at the position.
The Rockets currently have a full 20-man offseason roster, but only 14 of those players are on fully guaranteed standard contracts, so they could open up the final spot on their 15-man regular season roster for a point guard, if they so choose.
$91.7 million? How did that happen?
Bird rights and super max extension. He was young entering the league, and this was his second max deal.
The same way all the clowns around here screaming out giving mediocre players the maximum contact they can’t afford. Too many people don’t know basketball. GMs are no better than the suckers in this comment section
You seem nice.
If only we all could be a little more like Casor.-Greener.
Ask GreenWood Porter, he probably knows …kkkk….
Anyone want a 30+ year old point guard with injury history, a bad attitude, 70ish games played over the last 3 seasons, no jumpshot and is owed 45+ million dollars each of the next two seasons?
Huh? No?
So I guess John Wall is functionally retired.
Bad attitude?? C’mon man don’t be ridiculous
Pretty much his entire Washington tenure was about arguments with Bradley Beal and his teammates being happier when he sits (everybody eats)
John Wall has done a lot of great things in the community that is well known. I’ve never seen any bad attitude issues with him at all
@Kaizzer
never heard that, at all.
Walls attitude is garbage. Like Chris Paul except blames teammates more and not refs. Always the nearest teammates fault for everything!
Why bad attitude? They mutually agreed here.
I haven’t heard a bad thing about him since he got to Houston.
key words being since he got to houston. his Washington days were pretty angsty.
Wall is happy to be anywhere now. Also, he has had lots of time to cool his heels, and has participated in a college environment.
On the other hand, he probably still thinks the team’s best shot is one he can create given enough time… it probably was once.
He’ll be bought out. He makes too much and Houston won’t throw out any 1st’s. Nearly impossible to find a partner this close to the start of the season. He’ll need to vastly change his game going forward. I’ve heard a lot of good stories about Wall, so I wonder if his bad attitude is overstated. Maybe he needs to improve as a leader and communicator, vs being alienated as malcontent/ cancer.
This is gonna get costly. But it needs to happen one way or another.
From a Rockets perspective, why does it need to happen? They’re rebuilding and would need to include picks to get rid of him.
Cause playing him would mean he steals touches and shots from the young guys. Thankfully they’ve agreed to sit him out until traded.
@Cile
if he wasn’t in ring chase mode he could definitely benefit the youngsters. KPJ is very immature and Jalen is what 19 and already feeling himself.
This article is literally about how they’re not going to play him at all this season. They’re not playing him. They also don’t have to trade him. They don’t have to do anything, certainly not anything that involves them trading away multiple valuable picks that would slow down their rebuild.
He signed the contract, he’s getting the money. The Rockets don’t have to do anything.
Who would want that contract? The Knicks might have tried a trade for him a couple months ago, but they should be happy that they got Kemba on a $30 million cheaper contract.
$30m cheaper per year*
Dude, why? His leadership, his defense, his playmaking around their young shooters and versatility feels like he could have a really strong year and maybe rebuild some value. I dont get this at all. I also think those things will help those young guys, including, and especially Jalen Green
Maybe just Fertitta continuing to jot know a single thing about basketball, or his unbelievable, well known, pettiness is involved here. This dude is willing to do a lot of messed up stuff, so it doesnt put anything past him.
I just think it’s really dumb
bottom line .
do you really want john wall as your leader around your young players ??
it’s obvious the team doesn’t and who would know better
@ricky
because they just traded for him. my guess is, his leadership wasn’t an issue. he just doesn’t want to be around for the rebuild.
Why not? If he hadnt torn ligaments in his wrist a few years ago, he may have led his team to at least the conference finals…these narratives that somehow get started or followed by people that have no basis in reality are dumbfounding
Foermerlyz it has already been announced. Pull your head out of the other argument you got that point from.
Enjoy the thought of Fertita stewing about still paying Wall big bucks! Next year too lol.
What has already been announced? That wall is a PoS? I’ve never seen that announced. I dont know what you’re trying to say…
The “narrative” that has been announced: Wall will hang around but do no more in games.
Reality is strong here; read the article or links.
I don’t know why you have such a hard time.
Rickysaints suggested the team decided they did not want Wall around their young players. Plausible, since their PG has mental issues.
Kaizzer said “angsty in Washington”. Also, “bad attitude”, but I think Wall said something similar on his own, as an asset that teammates should share.
I said he likes the odds of his own shot too much. Well more will get posted I suppose.
But no “POS”.
Your narrative is that sans injury, Wall would have led WAS to at least the round of 4. That is what is LEAST reality-based, along with “POS”. Injuries happen, esp with Wall, and they count.
In 16/17, Wizards (reaching r8) & Wall (PER23) peaked. #4 WAS got sat by #1 BOS, after intentionally ramping up the physicality. Wall got hurt doing that (or getting it back). But Wall, despite his wrists and inaccuracy, took more shots than anyone by far, even Isaiah Thomas. IT outplayed him. So who to blame?
No matter, the Cavs would have crushed them later!
Both WAS and Wall’s stats get worse annually, until WAS did better without him last year.
I was talking about the narrative that he is some type of terrible person…I have no idea what else you’re talking about
K love and a first. Flip to 6ers with sexton for Simmons. 6ers add 45 points and speed to go with their elite bigs
With Embiid that’s a lot of injury risk for Philly. But if it worked out that package (Wall and Sexton) would be great for Philly – fills the starting rotation and matches their window
Rolling the dice for sure on injuries but with curry, green, drummond to back up they’d be very deep
You nailed why it’s nothing more than an NBA 2k trade. Wall and Embiid is too much risk
I hate that for the Cavs. We already have two other point guards in Garland and Rubio
I think he is saying
Cavs get: Simmons
Rockets get: Love, 1st round Cavs pick
76ers get: Sexton, Wall
Ehh. Intriguing, but I dont think 76ers can financially do that since outgoing salary ~$35m and incoming salaries ~$47m
@Sexland
I understood what he said. Again, Garland is a PG and we have Rubio. What we don’t have is a guy whose a pure scorer like Sexton. Now Garland does shoot the 3 well but do we really need to switch him to SG? I get that Simmons is a better and bigger defensive player than Sexton but I don’t think his pluses outweigh his negatives imo. I also wonder if he’ll be happy in Cleveland and won’t seek another trade.
You just don’t like Simmons. I see no problem with Garland as the 2; it would be easier; he would not have to worry about players out of the flow.
@X%sure
I have no personal dislike of Simmons. I think he’s a bit coddled. I think it’s absurd that he doesn’t seem passionate about improving his game or changing the narrative by showing us all he’s dedicated to improve. I think he’s a bit overrated and propped up by the value advanced metrics places on him. I am also a big fan of Sexton and feel like the Cavs would be making a huge mistake in trading him. I feel amazed metrics don’t valueI him enough. I know Rich Paul and understand what an agent’s job is. If Simmons is traded ANYWHERE he’ll be happy at the moment but as soon as he changes his mind I could see him demanding out of Cleveland (or wherever) too. I think the Cavs are in a very good place where they’ve drafted well and could soon become a solid 45 win team based on solid foundation. Maybe then, once you see all of what you have then think outside major additions. But right now, I don’t trust the Cavs to get out of their own way. Love contract extension was a mistake. Attaching assets to move him makes it worse. Trading for Simmons when you have other non-shooters like Mobley, Allen, Okoro is not a good fit. And Garland is not as dynamic of a scorer like Sexton is. He can shoot the 3 but isn’t an attack the basket/ pull up/hit the 3 multilevel shooter like Sexton. But aside from size, Sexland can be successful I think. Keep the kids and continuity going. Cleveland can be just as harsh to Simmons as Philly is if he doesn’t improve on his glaring weakness and perceived nature of not breing dedicated to change.
I wrote a much longer post but don’t know if it went thru.
one thing to point out.
Simmons/Garland/Okoro/Mobley or Markkanen/Allen doesn’t really spread the floor.
Too much $$$… idk where he could possibly go? Maybe Dallas might have interest? Or the Clippers ?
Its a big contract to match for sure.
the clips would be the better fit, but with how many of their 3pt shooters they’d have to send back, it would lessen what Wall could contribute, i.e collapsing the defense and kicking it out for the 3
Why would Dallas want him when they have Luka? Wall isn’t a good shooter. He’s a volume shooter who needs the ball in his hands.
What’s going on over in Houston … their quarterback (Watson) is well but not playing and point guard (Wall) is good but also not playing !!! They both want out … my advice to Houston sport teams, don’t draft or trade for a player whose last name ends in a “W”
I think you mean last name starts with a W. I can’t think of any players off the top of my head that had a last name ending in W, but they’ve had success with players that had W’s in their names – Warren Moon, Hakeem Olajuwon, and J.J. Watt.
Lol. Wall has little trade value
He still has more than Ben Simmons does.
Yeah, only in your shrunken head.
No, he doesn’t.
his contracts shorter, so i guess if it doesn’t work out, you’re only on the hook for 2 years rather than 4.
Simmons value is lower then it has been, but there’s absolutely no way one can say Wall and his contract has more value then Simmons and his. Rocket homer boy strikes again
Lol. On this board I don’t expect anything different.
You continue to prove you know little about the actual game of basketball except your anti Simmons quips based on your stunted growth or lack of athleticism as a young lad. Jealousy drips from your comments.
He’s going to either Dallas or Memphis.
OKC will take him with all the future firsts in existence.
Zero chance he goes to Memphis last thing they need would not fit in have Morant
If 3 playoff wins in 10 years is success then our thoughts on success greatly differ
The contract is ugly, but Wall can still contribute. If anything, he may have to buy out of his deal. But I doubt he’s gonna want to give back any money. I’m a Wall fan. He did some community work here in Houston. I hope his situation works out.
Well, at least WallyWood won’t have to change his name again now that another star wants out of Houston.
By far the funniest part of this site is that clown having to change his user name every 5 minutes lmaooo
Wall sounds like a $91 million coach.
Is he old enough for the Lakers?
He’s to young for the lakers but just old enough for the clippers a fellow old fossil team ! Yea Kawhi and pg13 are in their 30s already no matter how some want to seem to believe they are in their prime mid 20s
Hahaha! The NBA AARP membership is limited right now in LA. He may have a shot in Brooklyn though
The other la team is old ! As well lakers clippers heat nets are the oldest teams in the nba with all the stars between them in their 30s save for ad an bam ! They are all in the same short window and none of them have any young future star ! No it’s not herro it’s not Mann it’s not tht it’s not Bruce brown! Those are nice glue guy role players tops !
Wall should just stay, the Rockets will need his veteran leadership and playmaking. Plus to get rid of him your going to have to give up picks because he’s owed so much money.
The only 2 deals I see possible without picks would be
Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio and Cedi Osman for John Wall and Eric Gordon.
Or
Eric Bledsoe, Luke Kennard and Ivan Zubac for John Wall and Danuel House
(But even then you may need to add picks)
Both would represent 1 step forward and 2 steps back. Cavs would upgrade at point and fill in depth at SG, while getting rid of Love.
Clippers would be making a big three of Leonard George and Wall, which with Ibaka and Morris makes a strong 5 but are they that desperate.
Personally I like the clippers one, think Wall George and Leonard would be interning against Russ Bron and AD. Adds to that narrative. Also Rockets get back players that could easily be moved or kept.
if i was clippers i would pull the trigger on that
Wall/Jackson
PG/Mann
Kawhi/Winslow
Morris/Batum
Ibaka/Harenstein
would be solid
Not to mention young Keon Johnson and BJ Boston as back up 2/3’s.
Leonard wanted a point guard that can control the rock and lead a team. Wall averaged 20 last year and has always been a great passer. Plus if he goes down injured you have Jackson and Mann who can cover.
As for the Rockets you get 3 easily moveable contracts if you want to make more trades, or you get 3 players that would probably be happy to either start or play off the bench.
Simmons Russ, what the Rockets are saying is that Wall is made out of glass and they can’t play him or else he’ll get hurt and then they have no trade possibility. If he stays on the sidelines he can’t injure himself and put his value at absolute zero.
“They want to protect his health and avoid jeopardizing his fitness.”
So hang around the team, stay fit and in shape in practice where you go 50% or 80%. But don’t play in games where every possession or loose ball is of a critical nature and sometimes means a win or loss. We don’t want Wall doing any of that stuff.
I understand that I guess, but I was thinking for the development of two young SGs you’d want to keep a former all star veteran point guard like wall to help train them. These two guys are extremely talented but they aren’t ready to run an nba offence and lead a team and that’s where Wall would’ve helped
Simmons Russ and I agree with you on those two trade scenarios. Either Kevin Love’s crappy contract or Luke Kennard and Eric Bledsoe. Makes a lot of sense.
Just a huge-terrible contract.
I’m not sure who can absorb that.
Thunder? But they’re rebuilding and want to play young so same situation as Rocketsz
Magic? That’s a team that can move Gary Harris and Terrance Ross, who then can be flipped or a third team involved.
Only huge salary that is close to matching that wants traded is Kevin Love.
Clips – Kennard Bledsoe and one of the bigs in Ibaka or Zubac gets the salaries close
Not saying Clips should do it but thats the only team I see giving it a shot
Clippers could work.
With no Kawhi next year why not just take a risk? And get rid of the Kennard contract with it?
Thunder will probably end up in Chris Paul 2.0 territory.. getting a 1st or 2 1sts to absorb the horrible contract and getting something out of him to inspire a team to take him in 12 months for more pics.
Only 1 team I can see even fathoming bringing him in this year and that would be the Clippers….And this hinges on a couple things as well
A- Clips starts slow feel they need a hail marry
B- Wall shows he healthy (hard to do when not playing)
C- He shows he’s gotten something in the tank left (see B)
Kennard Bledsoe and one of Ibaka or Zubac gets the salaries close…….Im not sure if Clippers are even better after that trade tho
they would fine with that trade especialy if Mann and one of their rookies have a breakout season. none of the guys they would trade were a big piece of their playoff run anyways
Seriously tho, theres no way possible they dont just buy him out unless they attach at least two 1st rd picks in any deal.
Just asking but outside of Westbrook what contract in the league is even close to being as bad as Wall’s?
Kevin Love. But they don’t need Wall.
Houston doesn’t need Love either. It’s not a particularly appealing trade for either team, but it’s probably the only way out for both.
he is untradeable. where else is there a Michael Westbrook type of contract where that player also wants to move ? they broke even on Westbrook dollar wise and got a protected draft pick to boot. John played pretty good in 2021 so hopefully someone somewhere will find a match.
So they don’t want to attach a 1st with him, and won’t buy him out until next year. Yeah, good luck getting rid of him then LOL.
Another star wants out of Houston. Rockets have to be the worst for that.
Star?
I think that’s more a reflection on him not wanting to be part of a rebuild vs being unhappy with the franchise.
And there are more unhappiness options than that (like, “Snow!Yuck!”) but it’s splitting hairs. I’m just surprised it’s not a Cleveland that leads this list of “stars” that work so hard to get out.
Well Wall used to be a star anyway. He’s not efficient now, but if the Clippers get him, he may find himself on the other end of intimidation, by the other Morris bro!
Cue Wally saying how horrible of a player Wall is once he’s gone.
Yep, just like I did with James Harden.
You did say Wall has more value than Ben Simmons and that’s 100% ridiculous.
Oh and you did the same when they made the trade for Oladipo.
Surprising how many people are on here defending Wall
Fertitta is cheap plain and simple. Bought the team on a loan and his main business is restaurants which took a massive hit during covid. Understandable but still ruined the team in lightening speed
Can’t wait to see the box score : “Wall-DNP/business decision”. Why would anybody pay to watch a game when they’re admittedly not competing. We’re a long lockout away from this league being fair,competitive and entertaining.
John Wall said it last yr. He doesn’t want to be part of any rebuild. Rockets owe him 44.3 mill this year. Next yr he has a player option for 47.3 mill. He has not shown he is back from injury. His stats aren’t bad. But his game is not there. If you watched him play. You can see it. Nobody is taking him and paying him. CP3 walked on at OKC and mentored and lead them to playoffs. He showed he had plenty of game left. Wall has not done that. So if he doesn’t play how will he show that. Another asinine move by Rockets. Rockets are clueless IMO. Porter is not the right PG for Green. He is best as a third guard. Wood wants to get paid and will soon he traded. He has said he does not want to be part of rebuild. Rockets have three players who only care about themselves. And will make it harder to move them. Green needs a pass first PG. Porter wants a paycheck so he’s about his stats. They are not handling these three guys well. They better get on top of it. Do what they can to get value. And go full rebuild around Green. I would not want these three selfish guys around my future star. At 19 he could be led astray. By everything I’ve read about Green. He is a great talent with great attitude. These three could ruin that. Rockets need to get in front of this.
If Wall shows he can still ball or if you believe it then …….. Celtics can take him. With Wood
Wood to Celtics for >>>>
PE, Langford, future #1 pick.
Wall to Celtics for >>>>
Horford and Smart.
Smart can lead the rebuild. His attitude is great for Rockets. He might even straighten out Porter. Horford can mentor the young Bigs. He’s a 18 n 10 guy on this team. Fix Romeos gm. And Don’t miss on that pick. You move that contract.
Wall if right can team up with Tatum, Jalen as a Real Big3. Wood can show on a contender. He’s worth the money. If Wood and Wall are right. They can challenge for a Title the next 4 yrs.
NoIQAL still passing that narrative months later. For the billionth time the rockets are not going to move Wood, they see him as a big part of the team. Come up with a new false statement or better yet worry about how much of a joke the Knicks are. They’ve made the playoffs once in 8 years and get bounced in the first round. CLAP CLAP CLAP
Yeah that’s the wise analysis. All three have publicly expressed their feelings on rebuilding. You think I care about them or Rockets. I’m giving you the good way out. Why would I care what a small mind thinks. You can google it yourself. Only fake fans talk about yrs. Only one yr at a time counts. As long as you know where you are headed. We all know Rockets are going nowhere. But that’s fine as long you use that. I’m the one who said they should rebuild after trading CP3. You can like Wood all you want. He don’t care about Houston. Keep him and fall further. I doubt you know anything about Green. Try actually looking things up before you comment.
Do I know anything about Green? Oh you mean the guy who has logged 0 minutes in the nba and is one of the favorites to win ROY? I think you’re just a jealous delusional knicks fan who knows your team is middle of the pack and the rockets have a bright future in the next 2-3 years. 8 years and the knicks made it to the playoffs once and lost. Not to mention they play in the weaker eastern conference. Where did Wood come out and say he doesn’t want to be in Houston ? When did any of his teammates say they don’t want him in Houston ? Oh thank god they had your approval to rebuild after they traded cp3. You do realize they had a top 5 player in harden and were coming off a WCF. This isn’t even fun putting you in your place that’s how delusional you are. You are the Zach Link of posters just false facts in everything you write
Let’s not forget about Sengun who also has a chance to win ROY. Man life is good as a rockets fan, knicks fan well.. umm spike lee still go to games ? You have that at least
One year at a time huh, because Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier are the answer to take the knicks from first round losers to second round losers? I’d be willing to bet they don’t make it past the first round this year. Called being optimistic as a fan, enjoy being delusional
Houston will win 18 games this year
How much you got on that?
Celtics?? package avg al and whoever else makes the money work .. big three of Tatum, Brown, Wall
A mentor who doesn’t warrant time on the worst team in the NBA LOL. Has something like this (off season declaration that a player won’t play at all in the upcoming year, without a discipline issue involved) ever happened before? Nope, and there are almost always bad contracts on rebuilding teams. Then again, Wall’s negative value is higher than any player in NBA history with 2 or fewer years on his deal. If any mitigating salvage value previously existed, this kills it. Likely, the team surveyed the market and know that his value just can’t get any lower.
DXC, I always enjoy what you write here on this website and this is no exception but I think the plan is to keep him out of games because he gets hurt way too often. And not just minor stuff.. he goes down for the year with major stuff.
My point being, if that were to happen, his value would definitely plummet while on the shelf. Right now he’s healthy and can play so his value is not at it’s lowest. It can definitely crater further if Mr Glass gets hurt playing in a game.
John Wall, Christian Wood, Khyri Thomas for Ben Simmons, Andre Drummond, Tyrese Maxey maybe multiple picks involved
My life completely changed today. I won’t go into what the reasons are, but you will no longer have to worry about me making negative comments about any other teams or players. I only hope this makes everyone here happy and with any luck I can still annoy some of you with my boastful comments about the Rockets and hopefully they will do well enough not to make me look like a complete idiot next season.
What’s up brother? Anything we need to worry about? What you do, get a divorce or have some other tough thing happen?
I know you won’t disclose but just know there’s a respect for our mutual fandom here and I pray everything will work out good for you bro.
Hope you’re doing ok.
I’ll post this here but I might copy and paste it on a fresh John Wall article if one comes up. Hope you guys don’t mind but I don’t want this lost in an older article. I really would like reaction to this trade idea. Thank you in advance.
I’m wondering if the Warriors would be interested in a Wall for Wiggins?
I believe that Andrew Wiggins has to go. Too much money for what he provides which is nothing in the last 5 minutes of the game. He’ll get you 20 points in the first three quarters then you have to sit him down. He can’t be counted on in a playoff game and crunch time. He’ll miss a shot or commit a turnover Etc. Plus the Warriors have six guys they can play at the small forward spot and get it done. Jonathan kaminga Andre Iguodala Moses Moody Damion Lee Jordan Poole Klay Thompson Etc.
Now the Warriors need another ball handler and someone with experience would be nice. Enter John Wall. But how do the salaries match up? Wall at 44 Wiggins at 31? If it was me I would do it.
But, Warriors would have to include James Wiseman for his 10 million and could be enticed to do so IF you exchange Looney for the two recent draft picks. Sengun and Garuba. Looney 5 million and those two guys almost five million. Thoughts?
With the right team, Wall could be an MVP caliber type player.
Unfortunately, the right team plays at the local community center.