Wall linked to Clippers after Rockets buyout
All-Star point guard John Wall has an interest in signing with the Clippers, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported.
The Houston Rockets and Wall reportedly reached a buyout agreement that would siphon off $6.5 million — about the same amount as the taxpayer mid-level exception — from his $47.4 million salary, according to multiple reports.
NBA free agency negotiations can begin on Thursday at 3 p.m. PT, and players can officially sign contracts on July 6.
It seemed a buyout or trade was imminent after the 31-year-old Wall — a 6-foot-3, 210-pound former No. 1 overall draft pick in 2010 out of Kentucky — picked up his $47.4 million player option for the 2022-23 season, a salary that made it challenging to find a trade partner.
As a buyout began to look more likely, veteran basketball insider Marc Stein reported Monday that the Clippers were prepared to make a strong pitch to Wall — who is, like many players, impressed with Tyronn Lue's coaching, and who, NBA sleuths might recall, liked a tweet last July proposing a trade that would send him to the Clippers.
Wall — a five-time AllStar who has career averages of 19.1 points and 9.1 assists per game — was one of the most physically gifted point guards in the NBA before injuries started to catch up with him. He's dealt with injuries to both knees, his wrist, shoulder and heel.
After Wall signed a four-year, $171 million extension with Washington heading into the 201920 season, the Wizards traded him to Houston for Russell Westbrook in December 2020, shortly before the season began.
Wall has played only 40 games as a Rocket, in 2020-21, when he averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists, proving he still could perform at a high level after missing the previous season and a half because of heel surgery and a torn Achilles tendon.
Last season, the rebuilding Rockets opted not to play Wall as a reserve behind their young starting backcourt of Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr., so without playing, Wall earned $43.4 million last season. He spent parts of last season with the team, participating in practices and sitting on the bench during games, and trained on his own in Miami the rest of the time.
Nets' Irving exercises $36.5M option
Kyrie Irving has decided to exercise his $36.5 million option for the coming season and will remain under contract with the Brooklyn Nets, two people with knowledge of his decision said Monday.
The people spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the Nets had not confirmed the decision publicly.
The Athletic first reported Irving's decision. “Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow. I've made my decision to opt in. See you in the fall,” the outlet quoted Irving as saying.
On Twitter, Irving posted a separate statement: “I know who I am,” was the message there.
For now, that still means a member of the Nets.
The seven-time All-Star averaged 27.4 points and 5.8 assists this past season for the Nets, with whom he has spent the last three seasons. He's about to enter the final season in a four-year, $137 million deal with Brooklyn.
Irving had until Wednesday to inform the Nets of his opt-in deci