John Wall and Russell Westbrook are basically the same players. But John Wall is a good defender and shot blocker.
My thing with Wall is if Wizards kept him in DC. Even if his on court contribution doesn't match the salary; I think DC fans would have still tolerated (and some still love him). Same if Westbrook stayed in OKC. Kobe at the tail end of his career didn't merit that big contract. But the overpayment could be overlooked because his history with the team; including getting them championships. So the fat contract was justified in eyes of some laker nation. Part of the problem with Russ/Wall transplanted here, is that there's no good will and no rapport. With big money; there's a big string attached. Inefficiency on the court is not going gain the player much sympathy in the new city. Injury happens, and Wall can maybe blame the situation, but he can't blame for the fans for thinking the way they do. I joke on Wall, but at least the guy (publicly at least) says he still wants to be here. And for the unintentional tanking, has a purpose this year. We have young guys under favorable contracts, so maybe it's OK for now. Although Wall's contract still makes us rather inflexible. By the time the young guys is up for an extension; Wall will be gone. Is Silas afraid to bench Wall for young guys to play more. Load managing Wall every other game may be the best option; young players gets playing time without Wall publicly lose face. Sterling (injured) / Armoni / KJ. could take turn at the 2-guard/3-SF spot. When Wall is not playing KPJ Armoni <- don't think Silas will do this, he may put Bradley or someone else first. Tate (KJ backup) Wood Olynyk (if match up issue, shuffle Tate to a PF/C, bring another wing). When Wall is playing KPJ Wall Tate Wood Olynyk
What happened to him having his knee scoped and missing the rest of the season? Can that happen like... now? Can he do that and just sit out the next two years? John was great at not playing basketball the two years prior to coming to here. What if we agree to make him an assistant coach of something, and he can just sit on the sideline and hang out with the players? He could even have his own clipboard and everything! Tilman could throw in some free Landry's to sweeten the deal (not too much, though; he can't afford to just be giving away shrimp and lobster in this economy). In all seriousness, dude isn't going anywhere until at least the last year of his contract, and even then, that's a massive expiring that could be harder to move than some posters think.
