Wall, Rockets agree to seek trade options after one year
John Wall and Houston have agreed to seek possible trade options this offseason after the organization has opted to invest in the teams young guards.
John Wall’s time as a Houston Rocket looks to be coming to a close as both parties have agreed to work together to find a suitable destination for the point guard via trade. The Houston front office is hoping to build for the future behind young guards Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green.
Wall on his way out after a year in Houston
Wall was traded to the Rockets last year in the blockbuster deal that involved Russell Westbrook heading to the Washington Wizards. Houston’s investment in the 20-year-old Porter and 18-year-old Green meant Wall would have been playing a bench role this season.
Neither the 31 year old point guard, nor Houston were extremely interested in seeing Wall come off the bench for the next two seasons that remain on his contract. The former Kentucky Wildcat is due over 90 million dollars before his contract is up, which could make finding suitors for a trade difficult for the Rockets.
Injuries have shadowed Wall for the last four seasons
Wall has been plagued with injuries over the last four seasons, and has only played 113 games including 40 games with Houston last year. An Achilles tendon injury forced him to sit out the entirety of his final season with the Wizards in the 2019-20 season before he was traded to the Rockets. Wall averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists in an injury infested 2020-21 year.
Reports out of Houston say that the relationship between Wall and the franchise is still solid and there has been constant communication this offseason. Despite last season, where the Rockets finished with the worst record in the NBA after the James Harden trade, the respect for Wall within the organization is still high.
“He’s been a rock for us,” said a high ranking Houston source. “He’s been great since he got here.”
Rockets traded Tucker, and Harden last year
The Rockets have been very understanding with their veterans in recent years, realizing they are in a rebuilding era and have been open to the option of dealing their experienced players, like James Harden and P.J. Tucker to contending teams.
Wall is still expected to show up for training camp while he is an active member of the Rockets, and the Houston front office is hoping he will be able to provide valuable lessons for Porter, Green and the rest of the building blocks for the future of the franchise.