John Wall has been overlooked by analysts like ESPN and NBA general managers, to much chagrin. However, there’s someone that still favors the Washington Wizards point guard, as Bovada listed Wall as the favorite to lead the NBA in assists for the 2018-19 season.
Wall topped every player in the league with +150 odds with Russell Westbrook (+270) of Oklahoma City and Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons (+600) landing the second and third-best odds. A pair of Houston Rockets, Chris Paul (+650) and James Harden (+700) round out the top five odds.
Wall missed 50 percent of the season last year with a nagging knee injury that forced him to have surgery during the season. He still managed to average 9.6 assists in the 41 games he played and that number skyrocketed in the playoffs to 11.5.
Wall is arguably the best passing point guard in the NBA, although that still didn’t land him any favor with league GMs on voting the best point guard in the league in a scoring point guard era. Since entering the NBA in 2010, only Rajon Rondo and Paul have averaged more assists per game than the five-time All-Star, and last season was the first time in four seasons he did not average at least 10 assists per game.
Vegas is also taking in account Wall finished second in 2014-15, third in 2015-16, and second in 2016-17 in assists per games. Also he would have been second in 2017-18 if he played the minimum of qualifying games.
Also contributing in the favorable odds is the maturation of backcourt mate Bradley Beal, who earned his first trip to the NBA All-Star Game last season. Washington also added center Dwight Howard, who may give Wall a couple more assists with his ability to finish lobs and command the post much more effectively than previous center Marcin Gortat. The team also added shooting with the addition of Austin Rivers, who will serve one of the Wizards top reserves.
The only risk of Wall cashing in on the favorable odds is health. But, he and the Wizards believe he will be healthy this season and Vegas appears to agree making him one of the more safe bets on the season.
