John Wall wants to play again. What sounded good two months ago – waiting seated while they found a way out – has started to be something unsustainable for the point guard; so much so that he has met with him general manager of the team, Rafael Stone, as well as with the coach, Stephen Silas, to convey his desire to rejoin the team as a starter. What is the problem? Well, it collides head-on with the intention of the Texas organization.
As we said, player and team agreed before the start of the regular season that I would not play. The Rockets told him that the franchise’s plan was to develop their young values, and that this was added to the fact that they preferred to protect the health of the five-time All-Star by thinking about a trade. Wall accepted and was silent. We broke the silence weeks ago. He does it now.
As reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic, Houston has not flatly refused to play, but to give him a starring role. Wall does not want to return to action as a complement, but as the main player of the team; that is, title and with gallons. The Rockets meanwhile offer him to come off the bench. None have given their arm to twist. Outcome? Wall will remain out of the game as conversations continue about what to do.
And it is just that what to do the one who has little route. The point guard The Rockets have a player option for the 2022-23 season worth $ 47 million ahead. Obviously there are teams willing to incorporate it, but never if for this they must accept such a ‘fine’. His huge contract is holding his career back, but giving it up isn’t easy either. Maybe the Texans are pushing for me to accept a buyout, making him understand that it is the only solution to his present, The point is that Wall can also argue that he earned that money during his years in Washington.
One of the parties must yield. We recently learned that Miami was interested in the guard’s services, but only if he terminated his contract. It would certainly be an outing for the Rockets; expensive yes, but a way out. Houston is clear that its backcourt The starter is currently made up of Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green (No. 2 in the 2021 draft), and they will not move from that place to satisfy Wall.
Wall, for his part, is slowly losing what may be his last years of good basketball. At the moment he is 31 years old and has time to shine in the NBA, either starting or coming off the bench – perhaps Derrick Rose style. It may hurt to take that step back, especially after seeing how an injury to the Achilles tendon had him stopped for up to two years, but it may be the only solution. Last year he averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists in 32.2 minutes. There is still time to be important in any team. The latest information makes it clear that his desire, above anything else, is to play basketball. We will see if it can be soon.
(Photograph by Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)