John Wall – Houston Rockets
It is no secret that the Celtics are interested in adding a player like John Wall to their backcourt, but like every other team in the league interested in Wall, they could not afford to bring in his salary at the trade deadline.
Making $44.3 million this season and set to make $47.3 million next season, assuming he opts into his player option, John Wall is basically on an “immovable contract”.
There were some trade discussions between the Rockets and Lakers surrounding Wall and Westbrook at the trade deadline, but Houston was not willing to part with the veteran point guard for just Russell Westbrook.
Still in Houston, it does not appear that the Rockets and Wall are going to reach a buyout agreement this offseason and he most definitely is not going to opt out his player option as of right now.
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Trading for that $47.3 million contract for next season would be extremely tough for the Celtics to do and it would most likely result in them going into luxury tax land, but it could be a move that is necessary for them to elevate themselves to championship contention status.
Not only would they have to be willing to part ways with Al Horford, which Houston would likely be alright with as well since they would get out of John Wall’s contract, but the Celtics would likely have to split with either Marcus Smart or Derrick White to make the money work.
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Since they just acquired White from the Spurs at the trade deadline, it would make sense that Marcus Smart would be the one to be on the move in this trade, but does a deal involving Horford and Smart for Wall really make the Celtics a better team next year?
This trade scenario likely is not going to happen, but Boston is going to be searching for a point guard in the offseason. John Wall would be a great short-term fit for this team given his solid blend of facilitating on offense and still being a factor on the perimeter defensively.
