John Wall informs the Rockets he wants to return to play

Apparently he said he still wants to start.....lol - this is NOT going to end well.

DD

 

Wall/Green/KPJ/KJ/Wood

I’d watch that starting lineup. Just stagger KPJ/Wall

 

He's not even being sincere apparently. Says he wants to still help the young players develop then demands to start...just as we are finally starting to figure out a starting lineup this year he wants to come back and ruin it and we know instead of taking out KPJ or Green he'll start for Mathews in that 3 slot.

Goodbye spacing once again.

Also, Silas loves Wall so he's going to end up taking minutes away from someone. Whether that be KPJ, Green, or Mathews or Brooks, someone is going to take that L.

 

#FreeMe - John Wall

 

Yeah but since Wall can only play every other game Augustine would only be losing half of his normal minutes.

Starting Wall is a lose-lose for all parties.

 

pathetic

 

Never liked John Wall. He’s trashy and his game is very overrated. He wont be remembered for basketball in 20 years.

 

Boogie Cousins just commented. FreeDaReal

lol

 

If we start Wall then him and Tate will make put the starters back in spacing hell again. Him coming off the bench would be much better for his value but idk if he's smart enough to realize that

 

Wall spoke to Rockets officials and stated his desire is to play, have a starting role and compete to maintain it, but the franchise informed him that they want him to come off the bench, and not start, in order to play, sources tell The Athletic. The outcome of the conversations is that Wall will continue to sit out games while remaining professional and being around and engaged with the team, sources said. Rockets officials informed Wall in their conversations on Sunday that they were not willing to guarantee him a starting role.

After mutually agreeing prior to training camp that he would be around the franchise and not play in games as the team searches for a trade. Wall, 31, has sat and watched these Rockets (3-16) in training camp, practices and regular-season games and has made it clear privately that he wants to return to the floor.

The Rockets want Wall to come off the bench, sources said, but the one-time All-NBA guard believed he at least deserved the opportunity to compete for a starting spot in training camp. Houston informed players during free agency that the team viewed Wall as a reserve this upcoming season, sources said. On Saturday, ESPN reported that Wall and the Rockets had been discussing their return to play.

…

Wall and the Rockets agreed in September that he would preserve his health and fitness as the two sides work together on a trade. A deal has not materialized and moving Wall — who has two years and $91.7 million remaining on his contract — appears improbable unless Houston incentivizes a trade with first-round picks. So what has changed from Wall’s perspective? His competitive juices have begun to sprout up as the season’s gone on, and with prime years left, Wall believes he belongs back on the court.

…

The Rockets’ struggles this season, especially on the offensive end on the floor, are one reason why inserting a veteran like Wall has merit. Houston has won two games in a row, defeating Eastern Conference playoff contenders in Chicago and Charlotte, and Porter Jr. has thrived in those contests. Still, head coach Stephen Silas has an immense amount of trust and respect for Wall, and having him serve as an extension of the staff on the floor would help Houston’s young players right now.

For now, Wall isn’t going anywhere. There have been no buyout conversations, sources said. So where do the Rockets go from here? Here are some options:

• Houston can work on a plan to reintegrate Wall on the roster, as awkward as that may be.
• Houston can simply waive him and set an offset clause in his contract to recoup any money he makes over the next two years, but that means significant dead money.
• Houston can keep Wall around the team. Wall has been a positive influence around the roster.
• Or… The Rockets can decline Wall’s desire to play and send him home — while having to continue to pay him.

 

Wall to Brooklyn! Pls NBA gods make it happen! A Harden Wall Reunion would be amazing!

 

"Free me" is such a tragic hashtag since it's more like "#40millionperyearme".

 

Here comes the Lebron James “Free him” tweet.

 

I love how all these teams and sports writers for other teams want us to "free John Wall" . Well we'll absolutely send him to your team for "FREE!" We don't want anything in return!
We'll post him on a Cyber Monday add! They just have to pay for shipping.

 

The mistake was made by letting him hang around the team they should have sent his ass home until they could trade him.

 

Lol knew this would happen.

DD

 

There isn't anyone in the media or another NBA team that would trade for Wall and that contract. If Wall wants out I am sure they will work out a buyout in March 2023 when his contract is almost up.

 

I will gladly take his place and sit courtside at all Rockets games and get paid 40 mill dollars. Please Fertitta!

 

Houston Rockets guard John Wall met with general manager Rafael Stone and coach Stephen Silas on Sunday to reiterate his desire to return to the lineup in a feature role -- an idea that team officials continue to be reluctant to accept in a possible return to play, sources told ESPN.

The Rockets have wanted Wall to accept a complementary role to its young players to play on this team, and the five-time All-Star guard's unwillingness to do so continues to be a hurdle for the sides in a possible return to play this season, sources said.

There is still room for conversation and circumstances to change in this ongoing saga, and the sides will continue to talk as the season unfolds. Wall has wanted to be a starter again, but perhaps a role similar to that of Derrick Rose on the New York Knicks that includes meaningful minutes off the bench could ultimately appeal to him.

The Rockets are building around No. 2 overall pick Jalen Green and third-year guard Kevin Porter Jr., but injuries could dictate a larger opportunity for Wall at some point in the season.

These differences played a part in Wall and the Rockets deciding in the preseason to keep him inactive to start the season -- with hope that an eventual trade could free him to play elsewhere, sources said. Wall's massive contract -- two years, $91 million -- has made a trade extremely difficult, and Wall approached Stone on Friday about revisiting the idea of him rejoining the lineup, sources said.

Wall, 31, has been working out with the team and would likely need to ramp up his activity significantly over a two-plus week period to be ready to start playing. He played 40 games for the Rockets a year ago after arriving from Washington in a trade for Russell Westbrook. Wall has recovered from an Achilles injury that cost him a season-plus of his career in Washington, but didn't show he could still play at an All-Star level a season ago.

Numerous contending teams have interest in Wall as a part of a backcourt rotation, but his player option of $47 million for 2022-2023 makes it nearly impossible to incorporate him into a team.

The Rockets (3-16) have won two straight games for the first time this season.