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The multiple All-Star who might … not play a game this season!

While the NBA records the return of several key players including Klay Thompson, a five-time All-Star could not play a single minute during this 2021-2022 season … We take stock.

If the offseason has allowed the overwhelming majority of cases to be resolved, some still remain on fire at present. We think for example of DeMarcus Cousins, always without franchise and who does not arouse that a rather humiliating interest… Another name that comes to mind, in an admittedly different situation, is that of John Wall in Houston.

Holder of one of the biggest contracts in the league when he no longer has the level that corresponds to it, the number 1 of the 2010 Draft is deadlocked with the Rockets. Recently, we learned that the Texas franchise and the former Wizard had agreed to signify the end of the joint adventure, no longer play it, and find a new point of contact for the leader. But things are not that simple.

On the one hand, Houston wants to recover assets in exchange for Wall (20 points and 7 assists on average last year all the same) and his huge salary. On the other hand, the player does not want a buy-out either. So there remains the possibility of a trade, but it seems totally impossible for a player who will receive, hang in there, 44 million dollars this season… and 47 million the one after if he activates his player option.

For ESPN reporters Zach Lowe and Tim McMahon, then, Wall might have a “white” year in Hosuton:

You should never say never in the NBA, and we’ve seen huge contracts traded against each other. But I don’t see a market for a trade, so apart from waiting a long time and hoping for a buy-out… I think it’s a case of: “Come on, we wait for next summer”

Double-problem here: it seems very unlikely to see John Wall cut out on $ 47 million next summer, which would postpone the problem until 2023. In addition, the Rockets will want to recover a bargaining chip without wait several seasons in order to surround their young people in the new project they have launched.

To sum up: a buyout would go perfectly to John Wall, but not to Houston. A trade would suit everyone, however, but it seems impossible to set one up at this point because of J-Wall’s gargantuan salary. Anyway, it’s a dead end, it could stay that way for a long time… and Wall will most likely not play any game with Houston until the situation is resolved.

Nothing is of course certain at the moment, but the Rockets have a big decision to make before the start of the season. So don’t be surprised if John Wall, who is not part of the project, stays in the fridge while waiting for a buy-out or next summer …

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