Current Houston Rockets guard John Wall has reportedly told the team that he hopes to begin playing for the team once again, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Wall previously agreed to sit until the team could find a suitable trade, but now wants to return to the court.
The team plans to re-engage the conversation on Sunday after the former No. 1 overall pick expressed his desire to return Friday, according to Wojnarowski. It was previously reported by Woj that Wall was increasingly likely not to play, in Houston or elsewhere, this season just over two weeks ago. The Rockets are currently 2-16 after breaking a 15-game losing streak with a win over the Chicago Bulls Friday.
For Wall to play this season, there is likely a compromise that needs to be found between respecting Wall’s stature as an All-Star on a super-max contract and Rockets’ desire to have him play a complementary role to help develop their young core.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 27, 2021
Wall is currently on a supermax contract, earning the 11th most money per year in the NBA – tied with the Brooklyn Nets’ James Harden. The two-time All-Star has $91 million left on his current deal over two seasons. The Rockets acquired Wall and a lottery-protected first-round pick from the Washington Wizards in a swap for Russell Westbrook in Dec. 2020.
Wall has not played more than 41 games in a season since 2016-17, when he played 78 en route to an All-NBA Third Team nomination.
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