John Wall will hold a private workout for several teams Sunday in Las Vegas, tweets Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and TNT.
The 32-year-old point guard attempted a comeback with the Clippers last season after the Rockets elected to hold him out for all of 2021/22. However, he appeared in just 34 games, averaging 11.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists per night, before being traded back to Houston at the deadline. The Rockets waived him three days later, and he has remained out of the league.
Wall was a five-time All-Star with the Wizards before Achilles and left heel injuries derailed his career. He hasn’t played in more than 41 games since the 2016/17 season, but he hopes to show teams that he’s still worthy of an NBA contract.
Former first-round picks Dion Waiters and Harry Giles III are also planning workouts in Las Vegas, Haynes adds (Twitter link). They’ll hold separate sessions on Monday for interested teams.
Waiters, 31, has been out of the NBA since the 2019/20 season, when he played 10 combined games for the Heat and Lakers. He attended a mini-camp with the Mavericks last summer, but wasn’t able to land a job.
Giles, 25, has been plagued by knee injuries since he was in high school. His last NBA action came with the Trail Blazers during the 2020/21 season, but he also spent time with the G League’s Agua Caliente Clippers before an injury ended his season in January of 2022.
Goes to show you that you can know exactly what to do, know how to run the point guard spot, be a good team player, have the right agents and have a history in the league, but if you’re not fast enough or can’t shoot it well enough or lacking in any other area, you’re out.
There’s always going to be someone faster stronger better shooter etc. John Wall is done. These come back stories really never end well. They were talking about Iso Joe a couple or three years ago and I said no way he’s done and what happened. Couldn’t get a deal.
There’s so much good young talent coming up you’re not going to waste a spot on a guy who has lost a step. Even if his attitude is fantastic and he’s a winner in the locker room.
Easy for you to type. If you’ve ever balled like John Wall has you’d have an itch too. But you don’t.
Oh my friend you don’t understand. I’m past the age of performance yet I get out there because my ego says I can lock you down or I’ll hit a j on you no problem. I’m fully aware the itch does not go away.
Don’t worry Randy I can take anyone on 1 on 1. And I’m an advanced age. That’s what the ego does I totally understand. Yes I get where John Wall is at.., but he’s done.
You’re probably a baller Randy and you’re totally up to speed with what I’m writing. But once you lose a step no matter what the mind says the body doesn’t agree. Good stuff Randy I appreciate your post.
I’m 47 and I still love to get out there and hoop. Sure I’ve lost a step or 4 but I still cross dudes over and break them ankles and then calmly knock down a jumper while they layin’ on there back and Yeah I realize it’s mostly because the young folk don’t expect the old man to have handles and game but it’s still fun.
Amen brother Taco I love it. We’re older but we get it done.., at times lol. Doesn’t happen as often as we’d like but it does happen. Love it.
Gary did you score four touchdowns in a single game??
Nah it’s just Warriors fans are so special, they are usually the smartest too …
Yes on Madden but it was about 18 years ago. Does that count?
My point is you can evolve as a player. As a person. I’m sure John Wall is banged and burnt bridges but he is young and has a heart beat and therefore still wants to play. He could be done. Here. Ball is life for these guys. To just say your done give up is a sick joke. And one on one i always let my advanced age guys start a point up and play to 2.
He never said give up. He said, as an outsider observer thinking rationally and not emotionally, he’s probably done. Regardless of the amount of evolution he undergoes or has undergone, there is only so much more lemon juice which can be squeezed out of that lemon, if any.
No one is suggesting he heed our words (as if he would be reading HR, anyway). As a competitor, he will try and try and try again until he’s exhausted every possible opportunity. Just as it should be. I wish him luck.
At the very least, there should still be opportunities for him as a veteran in the lockerroom with his knowledge and experience.
You’re not John Wall bro, you’re some bonehead keyboard messiah that puts more value into his typing than literally anyone else ever will.
Ouch DangerBone. Tuff script. Is John Wall like your favorite player and I offended? Sorry about that, no harm intended but he’s done his legs are shot. Not a knock on the man himself but we all come to that realization at some point.
Sorry you had to go there though. Would never mean to cause a person to lose it like that. Sure hope your day goes well.
Ohhh the irony of Danger’s statement…lol
Yes, these comeback stories tend to not end well (much luck to Dion Waiters).
During his prime, Wall was fast, athletic, can score and pass ……. but IMO he was never been the heart and soul-type, control-the-pace kind of lead PG even with his long stint with the WIZARDS.
Everyone, including myself, thought that him going to the CLIPPERS last season, was a good fit. It say’s a lot when even a slow paced team like the CLIPPERS gave up on him.
He’s very likely shot/washed.
No Jump Shot = No NBA Job for John Wall
At this point what could it hurt for the Bulls to take a shot, I mean really?
the Mavs should take a flyer on him. he could replace someone on the roster who quit last season and tanked on purpose
Are you going to say the same dumb thing on every article?
Got paid for doing nothing for 4 out of the past 5 years. Nobody wants a dog on their team. Sat out with the Rockets all year 2 years ago because he didnt want to come off the bench, now hes begging for a roster spot like an animal. If John Wall was a foot shorter, he’d be flipping burgers for a living
Everybody wants a dog on their team. Having that dog in you is a very valuable asset lol. Kobe Bryant had that dog in him. Jimmy Butler has that dog in him. Scoot Henderson has that dog in him!
Seems like it’s 2 different dogs you guys are referring to …… @LFG obviously refers to the useless, entitled kind.
You’re referring to the dog which every team needs, the Jimmy, PJ Tucker, Smart, etc. of the world.
@mike.honcho you are correct
Not true, first year he had an injury and second year Rockets didn’t want to play him. Search it up.
Availability is a skill and talent.
His quickness is gone. Which was a strength. But he can still score. His D is what is lacking now. If DRose can change his gm. And still make an impact. I’d say he should be able to do it. He’s a better ast guy than Rose was. If you run the team and get ast. To maintain a lead as a backup. A team can use you. But you have to accept where you are. And who you are now. At 32 yrs old. He still has something to give.
Be a miracle if Wall has anything left anymore. When he had his stuff he was great. But now even when was with Houston and briefly played. Wonder if will retire if no deal. Yes the younger players are coming in and more. Many in sports world believe not to old or have something to contribute
With Clippers ——
34 gms, 22.2 mins,
11.4 pts, 5.2 ast, 2.7 reb
his shooting splits are not good. But good stats considering. I’d say he has something left. More important is what would he accept. If he wants to play on a team.
44%/ .70%/ .302% …….
I was spoiled at a job once. Even got a lil cocky. I lost that job. And it devastated me. I’ve got a family to feed and I’m looking for a job. Changed every thing for me. Found a job that fit me. I’m happy. I don’t make as much money and I’m not in the big city. But I’m happy being me. John Wall can have all of that. Just has to be more humble IMO
Yes I agree . I’d say a lot of athletes need more humility.
If he came back as a vet backup, a team would probably sign him. However, he sat out an entire year on the Rockets when they asked him to be the veteran leader on the bench and be a resource for the young guys. Teams have been put off by that.
Lets go John! 1990 class legend (same as mine).
If he would take a the league’s minimum the C’s should jump all over this he’d add veteran leadership and a passing pg of the the bench
Wish the Bulls would look into Harry Giles. The Bulls need players who are 6′ 9” or taller. Giles could be signed for whatever the minimum is for someone with his number of years in the league.
The last thing the Bulls need is another terrible defender, as much as I’m personally fond of him. The only hope for him is if he’s somehow recovered a bit more athleticism years removed from his major surgeries, but I doubt it.
This league is not much forgiving, In the words of Neil Young “once you’re gone you can never come back”.
Even when these veterans can still score a lot, if they lost a couple steps specially on defense they’re gone for good. Guys like Wall,Cousins,Bledsoe (3 teammates at Kentucky), Kemba, etc.. franchises prefer to have young guys to develop instead of these veterans way past their primes
Rooting for Giles
Neil Young, “It’s better to burn out than to fade away…”