John Wall has “made it clear” to the Washington Wizards he wants to be traded amid reports the five-time All-Star was included in trade talks for Russell Westbrook, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard confirmed the team discussed a Wall-for-Westbrook trade with the Houston Rockets. However, he shut down the idea, saying he was “looking forward” to having Wall back in training camp.
Once deemed the Wizards’ franchise player, Wall hasn’t played in an NBA game since December 26, 2018 due to a torn Achilles. During his near two-year absence, backcourt mate Bradley Beal has emerged as the cornerstone player. That was highlighted by last season in which Beal averaged a career-high 30.5 points and 6.1 assists.
Wall has been the face of the franchise since the Wizards selected him first overall in the 2010 NBA Draft. He holds the franchise’s all-time record in assists and steals, and is fourth in scoring.
With Beal’s emergence and Wall’s injury, the Wizards have shifted their focus accordingly. However, Wall was still surprised by Sheppard’s comments the Wizards were building around Beal, according to Chris Miller of NBC Sports Washington.
Being including in trade talks for an equally-skilled player presumably didn’t help Wall’s outlook on his situation in Washington.
If talks between the Wizards and Rockets have stalled, trading Wall with his injury history and hefty contract may be increasingly difficult for Washington to move. The 30-year old point guard is owed $132.9 million over the next three seasons, according to Spotrac. That includes a player-option for the third season.
For quite sometime, the message has been the Wizards were looking forward to Wall’s return to reunite him with Beal in hopes of getting back to their winning ways. However, the relationship between the team and Wall has seemingly soured enough to get to this point.
