Report: John Wall still unlikely to be traded or bought out by Rockets

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, NBA teams have expressed interest in signing John Wall as a free agent. However, a trade or buyout from the Rockets remains unlikely at this time.

Though it only takes one phone call to change things, it appears that such a call has yet to arrive for John Wall and the Houston Rockets. With exactly one month to go until the Feb. 10 trade deadline, Shams Charania of The Athletic writes that a trade or buyout remains unlikely.

With the 2021-22 NBA league year now at its halfway point, the five-time All-Star has yet to play in a game this season. The rebuilding Rockets would like Wall to accept a smaller role, if he plays for them, since Houston is prioritizing minutes for the development of younger players.

But Wall thinks he is worthy of more than that, and it’s hard to blame him, since he averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists in 32.2 minutes last season. Those figures would lead the 2021-22 Rockets roster.

It’s simply an awkward fit between a 31-year-old Wall and one of the NBA’s worst teams that is clearly in the early stages of a rebuild. Yet, due to a hefty contract that will pay Wall more than $45 million per season (on average) through 2022-23, his outside market appears limited, as well.

Charania writes in his news and notes update:

Teams are expressing interest in Rockets guard John Wall should he become free on the market, sources say, but a trade or buyout remains unlikely. Wall has a whopping $91.7 million remaining on his contract through next season. He is currently not playing for the Rockets after the sides discussed in late November about him potentially playing.

It’s plausible that some team could become more desperate as the Feb. 10 deadline nears, or perhaps the Rockets grow more willing to complete a buyout and free up the roster spot if the deadline passes and it becomes clear that a trade is not possible (due to the contract).

But for now, the status quo remains in place for Wall and the Rockets, just as it has since the original announcement in mid-September.

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