"P*ssed as hell, I wanted to play basketball" - John Wall lets his frustration known at sitting out last season with Houston Rockets
John Wall has revealed that he was frustrated sitting out all of last season. Wall agreed with the Houston Rockets' plan to give way to young players such as Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green. The Rockets failed to find a trade for Wall and eventually negotiated a buyout.
In an interview with Sam Amick of The Athletic, Wall opened up about his time with the Rockets and decision to join the LA Clippers. The five-time All-Star told Amick that he didn't want to sit out last season. After his first season in Houston, they wanted Wall to help the team before changing their minds.
"Pissed as hell, I wanted to play basketball," Wall said. "In my last meeting I had there, they were like, 'Oh, you had a great year the year before. We can't wait to have you back next year. Build on this, and try to keep helping young guys.' So I'm thinking I'll play the same role I played the year before."
John Wall further explained that the Houston Rockets spoke to him when he was training in Miami in the summer of 2021. The Rockets gave him the choice to play limited minutes or just sit out the entire season while they find a trade for him.
"They were like, 'Yo, the thing is, listen, we'll bring you out for like 10 minutes a game, and sometimes you won't play at all, or you can just not play at all the whole year and we'll try to find a trade,'" Wall said. "And I was like, 'I'm not trying to play 10 minutes a game or not play some games.' I didn't want to do that."
Wall ended up playing just 40 games in his two seasons in Houston. He reached a buyout in the offseason and then signed a two-year deal with the LA Clippers. He's already played in three of the Clippers' four games so far this season.
To read John Wall's entire interview with The Athletic, click here.
John Wall off to a great start with the LA Clippers
John Wall is off to a great start with the LA Clippers this season. Wall is averaging 14.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals in three games. He's coming off the bench to give the Clippers a nice boost on the offense.
In his first game for the Clippers against the LA Lakers, Wall had 15 points, four rebounds and three assists. He was able to play 25 minutes and showed no rust in his game, with his free throws being the exception.
Wall was then ruled out in the Clippers' second game of the season against the Sacramento Kings. It was the first game of a back-to-back, so the Clippers were just being cautious. Wall has been hampered by injuries since his final two seasons with the Washington Wizards.
In Tuesday's game against the OKC Thunder, Wall put up 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Clippers are still limiting him to around 20 minutes per game, splitting time with Reggie Jackson.