Last month, former No. 1 pick John Wall made his dreams of a return to the league clear. On Paul George‘s Podcast, Podcast P With Paul George, Wall said he was “willing to accept any role” to join an NBA team.
John Wall says on @PodcastPShow that he still wants to continue NBA career
“I’m willing to accept any role it is to be on a team… whether it’s playing, not playing, being in a Udonis Haslem role. Anything like that, I just want to be in a NBA jersey again.” https://t.co/ODlUPVhAbB
— Law Murray 🛝 (@LawMurrayTheNU) June 24, 2024
Recently, the 33-year-old doubled down on his NBA return aspirations during an ESPN broadcast of the Summer League.
“For me, I’m not giving up on my dreams of getting back into the league,” he said on ESPN’s Summer League broadcast on Sunday.”I know it’s a lot of stuff that I dealt with, with injuries… My focus is to still work hard and come here and network and be around teams. Whatever role it is, I’m willing to accept. “… If it’s going to a team and being a vet and teaching the young guys how to be a point guard, just to help, that’s a development I’m willing to do.”
Former No. 1 Pick Reiterates NBA Return Aspirations
John Wall’s Career So Far
Wall spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Washington Wizards. During his time with the team, he became one of the league’s best point guards in his prime. With the Wizards, the Kentucky alum was a five-time All-Star, a one-time All-NBA Third Team selection, and a one-time All-Defensive Second Team selection. Additionally, in the 2016-17 season, Wall finished seventh in MVP voting. He was also one win away from leading the franchise to its first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 1979.
In 2020, the Wizards traded Wall to the Houston Rockets for Russell Westbrook. Wall would go on to play just 40 games for the Rockets during the 2020-21 season. During this time, he averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists per game. Wall missed the entire 2021-22 season and appeared in just 34 games for the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2022-23 season. Despite making it clear he was eying a return to the league last season, no team added Wall to the roster. Wall has not appeared in an NBA game since January 13, 2023.
Earlier this year, Wall spoke about wanting to join the Miami Heat. However, nothing came to fruition.
John Wall says he’s open to playing for the Heat
“I feel like I could help them a lot. Getting Terry was a great piece for them”
“Even if I came off bench I could impact them”
“Me and UD talk bout this plenty of times, and I workout with Bam a lot”
(Via @theOGsShow) 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/FwEkF7pPZQ
— Emo Jimmy (@WheelerJaylen) March 12, 2024
The Last Word on John Wall
In his prime, Wall was one of the most explosive and exciting players in the league. Although he may have lost a step, he can still provide depth and a veteran presence to a contending team. However, Wall will turn 34 before the start of the 2024-25 season. Additionally, he has played 41 or fewer games in every season since the 2017-18 campaign. It will be interesting to see if Wall can make his way onto an NBA roster again before calling it a career.
