KEY POINTS

  • John Wall is reportedly on the New York Knicks' radar this offseason
  • Wall's history of injuries is a big gamble for the Knicks
  • The Knicks are expected to beef up their backcourt

The New York Knicks had a great run this NBA season but were sent crashing back to reality by the Atlanta Hawks.

Julius Randle was a revelation, but it was clear as day that the team lacked a veteran guard to keep the team together in the postseason.

One missing piece that NBA Coach of the Year Tom Thibodeau was looking to address is having a veteran guard in the mix.

Derrick Rose undoubtedly responded to the call, but the Knicks may need more than the former NBA MVP to get things in order.

One name that has surfaced is John Wall of the Houston Rockets.

There are suggestions that the Knicks have a certain level of interest in the top pick of the 2010 NBA Draft.

Wall averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists last season while shooting 40.4% from the field.

But a main concern on the five-time All-Star is his history of injuries.

As mentioned in a previous post, Wall created quite a stir when he responded to a fan-made Instagram poll that he would be leaving the Rockets.

Considering Houston is expected to rebuild with younger players in mind, it was seen as a potential sign that the 6-foot-3 guard could be on his way out.

The Knicks could make sense, but adding Wall comes with risks. Aside from his injury-prone history, he is due to make $44 million next season and owns a player option in 2022.

He is seen as a less expensive target compared to Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Right now, all this should be taken with a grain of salt. Wall could make sense, but adding another injury-riddled guard may not be what Thibodeau is looking for.

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

Other guards aside from Wall and Lillard that the Knicks could go after include Chris Paul and Lonzo Ball.

The latter could make sense considering he had played with Randle when both were still with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2017 to 2018.

Paul will be a great addition as well, but there is the question of his playing years. He is already 36 and has not been spared from the injury bug.

Paul is proving critics wrong in the playoffs at the moment, but one injury could change everything for the 11-time All-Star.

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