KEY POINTS

  • The Heat is monitoring John Wall's availability, but a buyout scenario is unlikely to happen
  • Wall appears ready to sit out the entire season as long as he is being paid by the Rockets
  • NBA teams are wary of Wall due to his lucrative contract and injury history

John Wall has yet to play a single minute this NBA season following an agreement with the Houston Rockets.

One team linked to the veteran guard is the Miami Heat, but their level of interest depends on a precedent that is similar to that of other teams.

Wall is due $47 million this season and another potential $44.3 million next season if he exercises his player option.

Hence, the only plausible scenario for the Heat to ramp up their drive is to hope for a buyout.

Unfortunately, the five-time All-Star is not inclined to settle for a buyout and give up big money, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported.

Wall played only 40 games for the Rockets after coming over from the Washington Wizards in the Russell Westbrook trade in December 2020.

Although he managed to produce the same output he had during the 2018-19 season, his health history is something that has become a cause for concern for teams interested in taking in the native of North Carolina.

The 2014 NBA Slam Dunk champion could be a talented acquisition for the Heat, where Wall could re-ignite his career.

In addition, joining the South Beach club could place him in a position to win his first NBA title.

John Wall #1 of the Houston Rockets dribbles in front of Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards
John Wall #1 of the Houston Rockets dribbles in front of Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards Getty Images | Will Newton

Anything can still happen as the 2021-22 NBA season goes along.

But for now, the only way the Heat or any other NBA team can get their hands on the top pick of the 2010 NBA Draft is if they are willing to shell out roughly $91.6 million for him until the 2022-23 season.

Focusing on the younger players in their roster, the Rockets have no plans of fielding Wall this season per a report by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Wojnarowski added that this scenario raises the probability that the veteran guard may not see a single minute of action.

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