John Wall exercises $47 million option with Houston Rockets
Former Kentucky star John Wall is $47.4 million richer going into the 2022-23 NBA season.
Despite playing just 72 games since his last All-Star season with the Washington Wizards in 2017-18, Wall is set to make nearly $50 million dollars next year after exercising his lucrative player option. The 12-year veteran picked up the option on Tuesday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Wall’s option is the result of the four-year, $171 million supermax contract he signed with the Wizards back in 2017, a guarantee of $207 million including the final two years of his rookie extension. The former Wildcat has played just 40 total games in the league since his contract began and 113 total since the deal was agreed upon.
Overall, Wall has earned a total of $229,137,948 in player salary over 12 years, including the additional $47,366,760 in 2022-23 to give him a whopping total of $276,504,708.
Wall initially suffered a season-ending left heel injury back on December 29, 2018 before developing an infection in the incision from the surgery. He then slipped and fell in his home, resulting in a ruptured left Achilles tendon, a string of injuries that kept him out 12 total months.
Wall was then dealt to the Rockets, where he played 40 games in 2020-21, his first season back from injury. He then sat out the entire 2021-22 season while Houston tanked for the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, with the Rockets looking into various unsuccessful trade scenarios that would send Wall to a contender.
Now, the team must decide what to do with Wall as he rakes in a max salary.
The former Wildcat has averaged 19.1 points, 9.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 10 active seasons as a pro, earning five consecutive All-Star appearances between 2013-2018.
His future in the league remains uncertain, specifically regarding the location. His near-$50 million salary, however, is now guaranteed.
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