NBA famous reporter Shams reported that Wall has decided to execute the $47.4 million player option for next season. This news is not surprising, who would give up so much money?
Now the question is before the Rockets: How to deal with Wall's contract? According to ESPN reports, the Rockets will look for a trade plan to send Wall away in the next few weeks. If the deal fails, the team is expected to discuss a buyout with Wall. Once the Rockets and Wall complete the buyout, the Lakers, Clippers and Knicks are all potential buyers for Wall.
Wait, do the Lakers have room to take over Wall's contract? The Lakers currently have a mini-middle class player worth $6.3 million, and the rest are veterans' basic salaries. Once Wall and the Rockets complete the buyout, he will not only receive his original salary of $47 million, but also sign a new contract. At that time, we will see if Wall can accept the mini-middle class or basic salary.
In January of this year, the Rockets and the Lakers discussed a deal between Wall and Westbrook. However, the Rockets asked for Westbrook + a 2027 first-round pick, or multiple second-round picks, and the Lakers decisively rejected it. Do you still remember how Wall came to the Rockets? In December 2020, the Rockets sent Westbrook to the Wizards in exchange for Wall and a 2023 protected first-round pick.
Looking at it this way, the Rockets are quite smart. They originally traded Westbrook for Wall and a first-round pick, and now they want to trade Wall for Westbrook and a first-round pick. It's like Westbrook came back from wandering around and the Rockets earned two first-round picks for nothing? The Lakers are not stupid. Westbrook is not incapable, but just not suitable for the team. Wall has not played a game this season...
In September 2021, Wall and the Rockets reached an agreement that he will not play for the Rockets again this season. In the past three seasons, Wall played a total of 40 games and received a salary of US$123 million: 0 games in the 2019-20 season, US$38.2 million; 40 games in the 2020-21 season, US$41.2 million; 0 games in the 2021-22 season , $44.3 million.
Wall's current contract of 4 years and 170 million US dollars has discouraged many teams. But once he becomes a free agent and is willing to accept a mid-level contract, he will still be very popular. In the 2020-21 season, Wall averaged 20.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game, shooting 40.4% from the field and 31.7% from three-point range. He is still a big fish in the free market.
Wall was the No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft, averaging 19+9+4 in his career. From the 2017-18 season to the present, Wall has only played 113 games in five seasons. How much fuel does he still have at the age of 32? If the Rockets are unable to trade or buy out Wall next season, let him sit out for another year. So it's equivalent to Wall playing 40 games and taking away 170 million!
Although the contract has expired, the 1-year contract of 47 million is too big, and it is difficult for a team to take over. If the two sides discuss a buyout, the Rockets may ask Wall to give up part of his salary to see if he can accept it. Five years ago in the 2016-17 season, Wall averaged 23+10 per game and was the fastest point guard in the league. What a pity!
