The Los Angeles Clippers have been in the market for a point guard since they were knocked out of the play-in tournament by the New Orleans Pelicans. Outside of Reggie Jackson, the Clippers did not have a true point near the end of the 2021-2022 NBA Season. The Clippers have been rumored to John Wall before being bought out of a $47.7 million contract with the Houston Rockets. It didn’t take long for Wall to get bought out when he made his intention to sign with the Clippers.
Wall joins an already stacked team, led by superstar Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, that looks to win their first-ever NBA Championship this next season. With the dynamic playing abilities of Wall, the Clippers could make that happen as they have the third-best odds to win the 2023 NBA Playoff title, according to Vegas Insider. Wall looks to be a contributing factor to a championship-caliber team in the Clippers. Here are three reasons why Wall will fit in immediately with the Clippers.
3 Reasons why John Wall Immediately Fits in with the Clippers
1. Wall is a true point that Kawhi Leonard has been looking for
Leonard is a quiet player, but one aspect that he has not been quiet about is wanting to play with true point guards that can diagnose the court and teams. He has even requested a true point guard while Patrick Beverley, a defensive lockdown guard, had been the starting one. While Jackson is an electrifying offensive playmaker, he has not been the floor general the Clippers needed. In his two and a half years in Los Angeles, Jackson never averaged more than 4.8 assists per game.
Wall is a player that sets up great shot selections for his teammates, including Leonard. The lowest amount of assists Wall has averaged in his career was with Houston in the 2020-2021 NBA season, when he averaged 6.9 assists. In his nine seasons with the Washington Wizards, Wall has averaged 9.2 assists per game. Wall will be playing for a Clippers team with several talented catch-and-shooters, including Leonard, George, Nicolas Batum (if re-signed), Robert Covington, Luke Kennard, Terance Mann, Marcus Morris, and Norman Powell.
2. Wall already has great chemistry with Paul George
Paul George is a positive player who respects his teammates and other players outside Phoenix’s Devin Booker. John Wall is one player he has a deep respect and a history with. George and Wall have been teammates in the NBA All-Star Game three times when Wall was with the Wizards and George was with the Indiana Pacers. Both players have great chemistry on the court during the games. They have complimented each other throughout the time they have been a part of the All-Star Games.
Wall was spotted sitting courtside with George’s parents in game one of the 2021 NBA Playoffs first-round matchup between the Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks. George even took the news of Wall’s intentions to his Instagram story. It is clear that George and Wall have a deep friendship. Now, they look to utilize that on the court for the same team.
John Wall sitting courtside at halftime next to Paul George’s parents. #Clippers pic.twitter.com/2sfUePOA8h
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) May 22, 2021
3. Wall wants to win
One of the biggest downfalls of the Wizards with Wall and Bradley Beal was their inability to get past the second round. The Rockets traded Wall in the middle of the 2020-2021 NBA season for a big package. The Rockets look to continue their winning potential by matching Wall with James Harden, Victor Oladipo, and Christian Wood. Harden, however, was not happy with the ownership and management. Houston was jumpstarting a rebuild, making it difficult for Wall to find playing time.
Wall looks to have his first efficient season since he was with the Wizards in the 2018-2019 NBA season. He wants to be a part of a culture that wants to win and have great chemistry on and off the court. That is the biggest reason Wall wasted no time announcing his intentions to sign with the Clippers. John Wall is likely a starter for the Clippers, but regardless, he will have a chance to be back in his All-Star form with a team that looks to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy at the end of the 2022-2023 NBA season.
