John Wall Watch appears to be back with a vengeance.
A report on Monday linked the Houston Rockets guard to an unlikely team. The Athletic’s Kelly Iko reported that the LA Clippers expressed some genuine interest in acquiring Wall earlier this season. Iko adds, however, that there was some confusion from the outside at the time about the Clippers’ objectives heading into the Feb. 10 trade deadline.
A five-time All-Star, Wall still has not played for the Rockets at all this season. With Houston focusing on developing younger players, Wall wants a trade. But the $44.3 million Wall is making this season and the $47.4 million player option he has for next season make a trade impractical.
On paper, the Clippers are an improbable landing spot for Wall. They are 23-25 on the season and face continued uncertainty over the respective health situations of both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Reggie Jackson has also been a stud as their starting point guard. Finally, Wall’s contract is such that the Clippers would have to match salaries by trading away someone such as Marcus Morris and/or Luke Kennard, both of whom have been meaningful contributors this season.
Then again, more clarity should emerge on the Clippers’ goals as the trade deadline nears. Without Leonard and George, they are still staying afloat and should be able to make the West play-in tournament regardless. Wall’s old teammate in college at Kentucky, Eric Bledsoe, is also on the Clippers’ roster. When you combine that with Wall appearing to show interest in the Clippers a few months ago, maybe a match is not as unlikely as it seems.
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