The John Wall era in Washington is over. The Houston Rockets have agreed to trade Russell Westbrook to the Washington Wizards for John Wall and a first round pick, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was first to report.
The draft pick the Wizards are sending is a protected 2023 first-round pick, according The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
The Wizards and Rockets had discussed the blockbuster trade prior to November’s NBA Draft. However, talks halted as Houston was seeking a draft pick in the deal.
Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard tried shut down the idea of Wall being traded. But, word of the trade discussions becoming public frustrated Wall, who in turn reportedly “made it clear” he wanted out of Washington.
Still, Sheppard remained adamant Wall was part of the Wizards future, saying Wall had not requested a trade. Wall remained silent about the reported trade request even when he was questioned during a charity event in Washington.
As teams began their individual workouts with training camp opening, talk of Wall being traded subdued. That is until Wednesday when word broke of the trade being completed.
Wall, 30, hasn’t played in an NBA game since December 26, 2018 after undergoing heel surgery and rupturing his Achilles a month later. He rehabbed for much of the last two years in hopes of returning to rejoin backcourt mate Bradley Beal. Beal had emerged as the leader and focal point of Washington’s offense in Wall’s absence.
Their reunion will not be. Instead, Beal will join forces with 2017 NBA MVP Russell Westbrook. Westbrook spent 11 seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder. But, spent the last season in Houston teaming with fellow NBA MVP James Harden.
Their one-year experiment didn’t go as plan, as they were eliminated in the Western Conference semifinals by the Los Angeles Lakers. Now, Westbrook, at the age of 32, will head to the Wizards in hopes that pairing with Beal will yield better results.
Both Wall and Westbrook have three years remaining on their super-max contracts. Wall will be owed $132.9 over the next three years. Westbrook is owed $132.6 in the next three years.
