This season was supposed to be the return of John Wall. Instead, the five-time NBA All-Star and former Washington Wizards cornerstone is headed back on the market after being traded to the Houston Rockets.
The Los Angeles Clippers traded Wall back to the Rockets in a three-team trade that sent Eric Gordon to the Clippers and Luke Kennard to the Memphis Grizzlies. However, Wall’s second stint with the Rockets won’t be long.
According to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, Wall has been notified he will be waived by the Rockets.
Wall has looked to get his career back on track since rupturing his Achilles during the 2018-19 season while with the Wizards. The injury kept him off the court for two years. The Wizards traded Wall, and a first-round draft pick to the Rockets for Russell Westbrook before the 2020-21 season.
Wall averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists in 40 games that season with the Rockets. However, Houston paid him to sit out the 2021-22 season. Then the two sides reached a buyout agreement last July, freeing him to sign a two-year deal with the Clippers.
But Wall didn’t fit the Clippers’ scheme as a three-and-D guard. Wall, who has been used to dominating the ball, had to give way to the Clippers’ dynamic duo of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
John Wall averaged 11.4 points and 5.2 assists while shooting 40.8% from the field and 30.3% from three in 34 games with the Clippers. An abdomen injury has kept him from playing in a game since Jan. 13.
Wall will be near the top of marquee players hitting the market after Thursday’s trade deadline. The list of midseason free agents expects to include Westbrook and Wall’s teammate with the Clippers, Reggie Jackson.
