For 10 years John Wall was the franchise player of the Washington Wizards. The former No. 1 overall pick embraced the role, both on and off the court and in the community of Washington, DC. That’s why Wednesday’s trade was so emotional for many who are invested in the Wizards.
The Wizards traded Wall, a five-time all-star, to the Houston Rockets along with a protected first-round pick for Russell Westbrook.
“I had to remove the emotion of it to make that trade,” Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard told reporters per Ava Wallace of the Washington Post.
Sheppard was speaking to the media for the first time since the blockbuster trade. He added trading Wall was the “most difficult trade” he has been involved in during his 27 years in the NBA.
Sheppard has spent the past 16 years in the Wizards’ front office with the last year and a half as GM.
It’s hard to argue against the trade improves the Wizards. Westbrook is a NBA MVP. Despite being 32 years of age, he still playing at a high-level. He averaged 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists last season with the Rockets. Meanwhile, Wall is coming off an Achilles injury that kept him from playing an NBA game in two years. There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding his return to this season from the injury.
Nonetheless, trading a player the caliber of Wall, who had spent a decade as the face of the franchise, sparks a wide range of emotions. Wall’s impact on the organization and the community is unmatched in comparison to any other player in franchise history.
At the end of the day, Sheppard had to remove the emotion involved of making the such a difficult call to improve the Wizards roster.
