Sources: Wall to be bought out, intends to join Clippers
TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer
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Updated:
John Wall and the Houston Rockets have agreed that his contract will be bought out, a move that will free him to sign with any team of his choosing, two people with knowledge of the situation said Monday night.
Wall’s preference will be to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to one of the people who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the five-time All-Star guard had not announced his intentions publicly.
Wall will receive roughly $41 million from Houston, according to the other person who spoke with AP. Wall was scheduled to make $47.4 million this coming season, his last in what was a four-year contract.
Yahoo first reported that Wall and the Rockets came to the buyout decision. ESPN first reported that Wall intends to join the Clippers, presumably for the taxpayer mid-level exception of about $6.4 million — basically the same amount he’s giving back to the Rockets to become a free agent. No agreement can be struck between Wall and any team until he clears waivers and becomes a free agent.
Wall has been working out in recent weeks, including some sessions at the University of Miami.
Wall played in 40 games with Houston in the 2020-21 season, averaging 20.6 points and 6.9 assists. He played his first nine seasons in Washington and, for his career, has averaged 19.1 points and 9.1 assists in 613 regular season games.
Wall did not appear in any games for Houston this past season. The Rockets are rebuilding around a young core, and Wall — who will turn 32 in September — wasn’t going to be in their plans going forward.
He was selected for the All-Star Game in five consecutive seasons from 2014 through 2018. Since the last of those selections 4 1/2 seasons ago, he has played in exactly 82 games, including playoffs — the equivalent of one NBA season — while making $150 million in salary and seeing his career derailed by injuries.
Wall has a lengthy injury and surgical history. He underwent surgeries on both knees in 2016, had his 2018-19 season end prematurely because of surgery for bone spurs in his left heel, then a tear of his left Achilles tendon necessitated another operation in 2019 and a yearlong recovery plan.
He has not appeared in an NBA game since April 23, 2021.
The development of Wall and the Rockets striking a buyout deal comes on the same day that another high-profile point guard — Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving — announced that he is exercising his $36.9 million option for the final year of his deal with the Nets.
NBA free agency officially opens with the start of negotiating windows on Thursday. In most cases, new contracts can be signed starting July 6.
John Minchillo
A one-and-done star with athleticism and length that makes him a legitimate NBA wing. Might be most ready to contribute among top draft picks.
John Minchillo
In one season with the Bulldogs this lanky big man was a two-way standout with scoring touch and shot-blocking ability. Needs to bulk up.
John Minchillo
The one-and-done Tigers star is top scorer who has the all-around skills to become a two-way star with improved defense.
John Minchillo
A skilled forward with above average athleticism and basketball IQ. Another prototypical wing capable of guarding multiple positions.
John Minchillo
An extremely athletic lead guard after two college seasons who has an explosive first step and can create his own shot. Needs to improve on defense.
John Minchillo
Considered one of the best catch-and-shoot wings in the draft, he could be a contributor in the more wide-open NBA.
John Minchillo
A Canadian with athleticism and two-way skills who can score in a variety of ways. He did not play for the Wildcats last season.
John Minchillo
This Australian playmaker has above-average court vision and has shown the ability to become a lockdown defender.
John Minchillo
Considered one of the best defenders available, he could fit in well in the NBA’s position-less game. Good rebounder and slasher too.
John Minchillo
After two years with the Badgers, he’s shown the ability to score in the lane and from mid-range. Has shown capacity to be elite defender.
John Minchillo
A scorer with great length who can make plays, he had an outstanding junior season for the Broncos. Needs to improve defense and rebounding.
John Minchillo
One of the youngest players in the draft, he’s a physically gifted big man who can score inside and has the potential to defend inside and out. (His draft rights reportedly traded to Detroit.)
John Minchillo
Athletic 3-and-D wing, he played 122 games for the Jayhawks and knocked down 39.7% of his threes last season.
John Minchillo
Showed big upside during his sophomore season with his physicality and wingspan around the rim on both ends of the court.
John Minchillo
This two-way wing, who turns 19 in August, is considered one of the top scorers in the draft with solid moves and a mid-range game.
John Minchillo
Another prototypical wing who is long, athletic and capable of defending on the perimeter. Shot better than 50% in two seasons at LSU.
Rick Scuteri
A two-way player who was a low-volume shooter for the Wildcats, he has plenty of upside with his size and all-around game.
John Minchillo
This versatile, wide-bodied forward had a solid junior season after transferring from Indiana State. Can score in a variety of ways. (Draft rights reportedly traded to Memphis.)
John Minchillo
Another one-and-done wing who lacks elite athleticism but can score in a variety of ways. Shot 41.6% from deep, taking 2.8 threes per game.
John Minchillo
A skilled wing who shot 39% from deep last season, he’s a team player who brings energy on both ends of the court.
John Minchillo
Played 29 games as a freshman reserve at UNC before starting 34 for the Tigers. Has a well-rounded offensive game and can defend. (Draft rights reportedly traded to Minnesota.)
Michael Conroy
At 250 pounds, he plays bigger than his size and had a big junior season averaging 19.1 points while shooting 43.1% from deep. (Draft rights reportedly traded to Memphis.)
John Minchillo
An athletic and skilled wing, he spent one season playing JC ball before joining the Ignite. Has all the tools to be a solid two-way player.
John Minchillo
This one-and-done scorer could be a combo guard in the NBA, an exceptional athlete with a mid-range game and the ability to score in the lane.
David J. Phillip
An excellent defender who averaged 13.4 points and 4.4 assists as a junior, when he sank 41% of his three-pointers.
John Minchillo
A talented, offensive-minded wing who is a scorer and playmaker. Not an explosive athlete but does move well for his size.
Alan Youngblood
An ankle injury led to him only playing 11 games for his father’s team, but he has plenty of upside and U19 national team experience.
John Minchillo
An athletic floor leader who can score and create. Good wingspan helps make him a solid defender and rebounder for his size.
John Minchillo
The Bruins reserve wing only averaged 12.9 minutes but has big upside with his athleticism, explosive first step and leaping ability.
Second Round:
Craig Mitchelldyer
A true floor general from Canada who has the size and experience to be a two-way player in the NBA after 131 games at Florida and Gonzaga.
Jay LaPrete
This one-and-done wing is a solid scorer and playmaker, shooting 35.5% from deep while averaging 10.1 points in 34 starts.
David J. Phillip
After a breakout junior season with the Wildcats, this Cameroon native has the ability to be a rim protector and lob threat in the NBA.
Marcio Jose Sanchez
A big man with good all-around skills and basketball IQ who is made for the NBA game. An above-average defender as well.
Darron Cummings
A lanky and crafty player, he’s a natural scorer who can get into the lane with ease. Only shot 38% from the field in his lone college season.
Ted S. Warren
A combo guard with athleticism who has the ability to score off the dribble, from mid-range and deep. Plays out of control at times.
Chris O'Meara
A one-and-done, hard-nosed floor general who can also score, averaging 13.9 points and 4.7 assists while shooting 38.3% on threes.
Rebecca S. Gratz
A natural scorer with plenty of athleticism and upside. Averaged 16.8 points, shooting 80.3% on free throws but only 27.4% from deep. (Draft rights reportedly traded to Memphis.)
Gene J. Puskar
He’s a low-post presence with the ability to score from mid-range. Had an outstanding junior season as a rebounder, defender and shot-blocker.
Marcio Jose Sanchez
A one-and-done lead guard who has size and athleticism. He started 26 of 36 games for the Blue Devils, averaging 11.5 points.
David J. Phillip
This one-and-done, lanky forward from France is a solid two-way player who averaged 9.0 points and 6.8 rebounds for the Wolverines.
Paul Sancya
Has the skills to be a combo guard in the NBA after two college seasons, when he showed he could score in a variety of ways. A 50/40/90 shooter.
Sean Meagher
A smooth one-and-done wing with leaping ability who only shot 14.3% from deep (2 of 14). Needs to improve range and defense.
Trent Sprague
A skilled wing who can score in a variety of ways. Could develop into a prototypical 3-and-D players.
Tony Gutierrez
An explosive athlete and two-way standout, he has the ability to score in a variety of ways, just not from deep. Outstanding defender.
Brynn Anderson
The former Trojans star has a solid all-around game that could translate to a stretch 4, but lacks elite athleticism.
Frank Franklin II
The Rhode Island transfer showed 3-and-D potential with the Huskies, averaging 13.6 points while shooting 43.1% from deep last season.
Denis Poroy
The one-and-done combo guard made only six starts. He’s a big-time athlete with plenty of offensive moves. Lacks shooting depth.
Rick Bowmer
A potential combo forward, this Inglewood native is considered a tweener but is a proficient scorer and rebounder.
Charles Rex Arbogast
A hard-nosed two-way player from France who averaged 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists in Australia’s NBL.
Carmen Mandato
FILE - Houston Rockets' John Wall controls the ball during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers in an NBA basketball game April 14, 2021, in Houston. Wall and the Rockets have agreed that his contract will be bought out, a move that will free him to sign with any team of his choosing, two people with knowledge of the situation said Monday, June 27, 2022. (Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo via AP, File)
