Since before free agency began in early July, the basketball world has known that John Wall held an ace in the hole. That trump card came in the form of a reported offer from the Washington Wizards on the designated player exception that would extend his contract and guarantee him more than $200 million.
Now, it appears as if Wall has chosen to accept that contract, as reported by David Aldridge of NBA.com.
John Wall has agreed to the designated player veteran exception in Washington, per source, that will pay him a total of $207M through 2023.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 22, 2017
It comes as no surprise that Wall would accept this contract, which brings him approximately $170 million in “new money” along with a fourth-year player option on the contract that can be exercised for the 2022-2023 season. Wall later announced his extension on UNINTERRUPTED.
BREAKING NEWS: @JohnWall announces on UNINTERRUPTED he is re-signing with the @WashWizards. pic.twitter.com/L1Sg4h2Uu1
— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) July 22, 2017
John Wall's extension includes a fourth-year player option and a 15 percent trade kicker, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 22, 2017
Sources: Washington star John Wall has agreed to a four-year, $170M extension with the Wizards, including player option and trade kicker.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 22, 2017
This contract is similar to the one James Harden recently inked with the Houston Rockets, and it brings Wall into a financial stratosphere that few have ever reached in the NBA. As part of the contract, the All-Star point guard cannot be traded for one year, but in the same breath, this is the type of commitment from the Wizards that would signal Wall remaining as the centerpiece of the franchise for quite some time.
Since Bradley Beal and Otto Porter received lucrative contracts, Wall has not been the highest-paid player on his own team. This will rectify that beginning as soon as his original deal expires, and there is no question who “the man” is for the Washington Wizards.
