As they continue to mold their roster to appease franchise player Bradley Beal, could the Washington Wizards turn to a former cornerstone?
According to The Athletic’s David Aldridge, John Wall has told people close to him that he is open to returning to the Wizards. Beal “wouldn’t dismiss a potential reunion” with his former backcourt running mate.
Such a return would require a lot of moving parts. A trade with the Houston Rockets is likely out of the question for the Wizards. Thus, Wall would have to be made available through a buyout.
That’s something neither Wall nor the Rockets were open to this year with two years and $91 million remaining on his deal. But going into next season, it’s more plausible. After averaging 20.6 points and 6.9 assists last season in 40 games, the Rockets paid Wall $44 million to sit out this season for their youth movement.
Also Wizards owner Ted Leonsis and general manager Tommy Sheppard would have to on board with a Wall return.
It was Leonsis who was ready to move on from Wall after a video of the five-time all-star flashing gang signs during a birthday party in 2020. That and a series of injuries led to Wall being traded before the 2020-2021 season to the Rockets for Russell Westbrook.
Wall and Beal were teammates with the Wizards from 2012-2020 prior to the trade. Together the pair led the Wizards to five straight seasons with a .500 record or better, including four playoff appearances.
Meanwhile, life without Wall hasn’t been so grand for Beal and the Wizards. Westbrook lasted one season before he demanded a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. Westbrook’s replacement, Spencer Dinwiddie, was ushered out of the Wizards locker room just three months into this season and traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
Following the maneuvering and tweaks by Sheppard, the Wizards are left with a glaring hole at point guard. Washington landed the 7-foot-3 Kristaps Porzingis in the Dinwiddie trade and the 6-foot-10 Kyle Kuzma in the Westbrook deal.
Beal is out for the rest of the season following wrist surgery. And he faces a huge question about his future with the Wizards this summer. Beal appears to be leaning towards signing a supermax extension with Washington. But, there are grumblings he may want out, maybe to join James Harden and Joel Embiid in Philadelphia?
If Washington retains Beal, they’ll be in the market for a point guard. Wall in a buyout situation could make a lot of sense. Wall’s image and injury history will surely make the Wizards brass hesitant for a reunion. But, now we know it’s an option.
