The Houston Rockets acquired John Wall before the 2020-21 NBA season in part of the trade that sent Russell Westbrook to the Washington Wizards. It was all amid the fallout of the end of the James Harden era.
Wall ended up playing 40 games in his first season and averaged 20.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists in 32.2 minutes per game. He shot 40.4 percent from the floor and 31.7 percent from beyond the arc. He reached an agreement with the Rockets to sit out for the entire 2021-22 season with the expectation of landing elsewhere.
Wall remained a member of the Rockets organization despite sitting out for their entire 82-game regular season. He exercised his $47.4 million final-year player option for the 2022-23 season.
According to Yahoo! Sports’ Chris Haynes, John Wall and the Houston Rockets will secure a contract buyout and reach unrestricted free agency. He plans to give back approximately $7 million in salary, which is around the Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception.
The Rockets have agreed to a buyout of the final year of Wall’s massive contract, sources told Yahoo Sports, paving the way for the five-time All-Star to resurrect his career with a competitive team.
It expected Wall will give back approximately $7 million in salary to hit the open market, sources said. He had a $47.4 million player option for the upcoming season.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Rockets’ John Wall Could Reach Buyout; Lakers, Clippers, Heat Suitors
As reported by Marc Stein, among the potential suitors for Wall include the LA Clippers and Miami Heat. To a lesser extent, the Los Angeles Lakers could also be a potential landing spot amid Russell Westbrook’s uncertain future.
Interest in Wall from the Clippers and Heat, if he can finally make his way onto the open market, has been mentioned for months. I’ve likewise been advised that the Lakers — resistant as they remain to trading Russell Westbrook to Houston for Wall by attaching draft capital as a sweetener for the Rockets — would consider Wall as a candidate for the roster if he is suddenly available via the buyout market.
The LA Clippers have widely been considered the favorites to sign John Wall after his buyout agreement instead of the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers. His relationship with coach Tyronn Lue is expected to play a significant role in his decision-making.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Rockets’ John Wall Could Reach Buyout; Lakers, Clippers, Heat Suitors
For John Wall, he will be well-rested to step in and make an impact for whichever team he ends up signing with. There could be other suitors that emerge depending on how the point guard market ends up playing out.
