via Getty
WASHINGTON, USA – MARCH 3: John Wall (2) of Washington Wizards celebrates during the NBA match between Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors at the Verizon Center in Washington, United States on March 3, 2017. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
via Getty
WASHINGTON, USA – MARCH 3: John Wall (2) of Washington Wizards celebrates during the NBA match between Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors at the Verizon Center in Washington, United States on March 3, 2017. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
A few days, there were reports about the Washington Wizards being close to trading John Wall to the Houston Rockets. While the trade never finalized, Wall has now officially asked to leave.
As Rockets/Wizards talks on Russell Westbrook-for-John Wall stall, Wall has made it clear he wants trade out of Washington to happen, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 21, 2020
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The Wizards’ star has not played a single minute for two years, after suffering from repeated injuries. The team still tried to stay patient, even after the $170 million extension they gave him just a few years back. But when a video of Wall displaying gang signs went viral, it was reportedly the last straw for the Wizards.
“The incident that John had in Brooklyn is probably one of the reasons why this is probably being moved forward,” Wizards insider Chris Miller said. “Although John has apologized for it, that incident kind of rubbed a lot of people within the organization the wrong way.”
Where can the Washington Wizards ship Wall off to?
Since Wall has now officially requested a trade, the Wizards will push for the Russell Westbrook deal. Both are going to earn $41 million in the upcoming season, so they could just do a straight swap without involving other players. The Rockets will be adamant about getting some picks, so the Wizards could potentially look elsewhere.
If that falls through, the Wizards will have to engage in talks with a team that can afford to take on Wall’s huge salary. The Hornets and the Knicks could be two teams who the Wizards can hope will be ready to take a chance with Wall.
ALSO READ – “It’s All Back”: Wizards Head Coach Confident of John Wall’s Comeback after Career-threatening Injury
What happens to Bradley Beal?
The biggest victim of this trade saga is Wall’s teammate Bradley Beal. In the absence of his star backcourt partner, Beal has been phenomenal. He has single-handedly delivered wins and almost took the team to the playoffs.
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Due to such performances, Beal has had a lot of trade interest from across the league, but he had expressed his desire to stay in Washington to play alongside Wall. But now, with Wall leaving, Beal might follow suit. This could force the Wizards into a rebuilding mode and continue their playoff drought.
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So far, the 2020 Off-Season has witnessed a lot of unexpected moves, and Beal and Wall moving would spice it up further.
ALSO READ – “We’re Building This Team Around Bradley Beal”: Wizards GM Dismisses Trade Talks With Warriors
