NBA Rumors: Why A John Wall Return To Washington Could Happen Next Season

John Wall did not get the trade that he and the Houston Rockets were looking for this season, but him returning to the Washington Wizards might just be within the realm of possibility next year.

The mere thought of Wall being in a Wizards jersey after how he demanded to leave the franchise just ahead of the 2020-21 season has left a sour taste in the mouths of their fans.

Wall, plus a 2023 first-round lottery-protected pick, was dealt to the Rockets in exchange for Russell Westbrook who was then dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers for a wealth of talent headlined by forward Kyle Kuzma.

Also in that massive five-team deal was Spencer Dinwiddie, who the Wizards took a huge risk on as their starting point guard to play alongside three-time All-Star Bradley Beal.

Dinwiddie had a hot start in his time with the Wizards, but it soon became apparent that he would not be the playmaker that could lead the team and was traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Kristaps Porzingis.

The Wizards will finish the rest of the season with a point guard lineup of Raul Neto, Ish Smith, Tomas Satoransky and Cassius Winston, the latter of which has rarely played in the past two seasons.

To their credit, they have been able to position themselves on the cusp of taking a spot in the play-in tournament with a starting lineup of Neto, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Corey Kispert, Kyle Kuzma and Daniel Gafford.

However, they will need a true point guard to raise this team’s floor and Wall just might be the answer.

Shams Charania of The Athletic revealed back in September that Wall and the Rockets have mutually agreed to find him a new home, with the five-time All-Star sitting out the season.

Wall, 31, has only played a combined 72 games in the past three years due to injury, and questions of his effectiveness remain up in the air.

The 2010-11 NBA Rookie of the Year was also linked to buyout and trade rumors, particularly with the Lakers, this season, but none of them came to pass which led to Wall’s current situation.

If Wall were to be bought out of his contract, the Wizards could feasibly go after him with part or all of their mid-level exception (MLE).

Injuries have sapped Wall of his athleticism, but a player of his caliber should be able to remain effective in the latter stages of his career as a pass-first point guard.

That position on the floor is what the Wizards have to immediately address, which raises the probability that a reunion with Wall may be on the horizon.