Wall executes option on last year of deal
Rockets guard John Wall as expected picked up the option on the final season of his contract, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul confirmed on Tuesday, a move that was considered certain but could be the first step toward ending his tenure with the Rockets.
Wall’s contract is worth $47.37 million next season, the second-highest figure in the NBA. He did not play last season while the Rockets unsuccessfully sought a trade for the five-time All-Star.
The Rockets and Wall’s representatives did not pursue a buyout agreement last season when there were several trades they hoped could be completed. But with Wall, a former AllNBA and All-Defensive team selection, beginning the final season of his contract, there is a stronger likelihood the Rockets could buy out the remainder of his contract if there is no trade.
Acquired along with a firstround pick for Russell Westbrook before the 2020-21 season, Wall played in 40 games for the Rockets, averaging 20.6 points and 6.9 rebounds. With the agreement with the Rockets to sit out last season while the team moved to a young backcourt of Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. and because of a variety of injuries while with the Wizards, the 31-year-old Wall has played in just 72 games in the past four seasons.
Memorial Hermann strikes partnership
The Rockets and Memorial Hermann Health System on Tuesday announced the expansion of their partnership to have all Memorial Hermann orthopedics and sports medicine services rebranded Memorial Hermann | Rockets Orthopedics.
Memorial Hermann sports medicine clinic will be named Memorial Hermann | Rockets Sports Medicine Institute and the Memorial Hermann Orthopedic & Spine Hospital will be named the Memorial Hermann | Rockets Orthopedic Hospital.
“Memorial Hermann is the first healthcare system in the country to co-brand all of its orthopedic program with one national team partner, which is the Houston Rockets,” Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta said. “We are extremely, extremely proud that they have chosen us and of course, that we have chosen them.”
The Rockets and Memorial Hermann have been partners in a variety of initiatives since 2005. Though other medical organizations have sponsorships relationship with sports franchises, as Memorial Hermann has with the Rockets, the new agreement is the first with the branding of hospitals and health care systems.
“They’ve been an amazing partner for years with this organization, one of the longest in the country,” Fertitta said. “I believe that everyone should have the same access to medicine and everything that our players get. That’s one of the reasons I was so involved in the development of the University of Houston medical school and why I contributed $50 million.
“It makes me very proud. I can tell you this: there’s more to come.”