It remains one of the interesting questions of the NBA off-season: How much do the Wizards offer John Wall in a contract extension?
The Wizards are going to make an offer and they’ve suggested it’s substantial. I think something close to Stephen Curry’s four year, $44 million seems about right. Since getting back and healthy this season Wall has certainly shown both an improved jump shot and an ability to lead a team on the court, both scoring and setting other guys up. The Wizards are playing well behind him (11-9 in their last 20).
But Wall also admitted to David Aldridge of NBA.com that there are a number of point guards out there better than him — and that he still wants to get paid like the big names.Only three point guards in the league have max deals -- Deron Williams, Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook. It’s a lock that Chris Paul will join them this summer. And that’s all. Even Wall acknowledges those four are better than he is.
“You’ve got Chris Paul, Russell,” he said Sunday night. “Derrick right now. I’d say Kyrie [Irving]'s up there, doing pretty good. I like [Portland’s] Damian Lillard. I’d say he’s up there in that category. He’s playing out of his mind, to play like he’s a rookie. I feel like those years in college really helped him. I feel like they’d be the top.”
He agrees, when Rajon Rondo’s name is mentioned, that Rondo is better. He goes along with Denver’s Ty Lawson, and volunteers Golden State’s Stephen Curry. And that’s the list. Eight better.
Of course, Wall still wants to be paid like the top four.
Maybe a fair alternative is a five-year offer in the $55 million range but with an opt-out after three for Wall — if he proves in the next three years that he is a max player he can opt out and get that deal. It’s a risk for the Wizards, but if they can build a good team around him he will not want to bolt (and the Wizards can always offer more money). It will be a trade off of dollars and options between the sides.
I’ll add this: Wall is right on in his comment that he was drafted into a situation that would make it difficult for any rookie to succeed at a high level. This was the Wizards of Gilbert Arenas, Andray Blatche, JaVale McGee and Nick Young when Wall arrived. Not exactly the most professional locker room. As I have asked before, how would Rondo and Wall had been different had you reversed their landing spots in the NBA and Wall got quality veterans to model as a rookie?
