The Miami Heat are finally about to begin the year. While in October now though, let us look back a bit.
Something that had been at the top of mind back in September, September 7th to be exact. Since then, it seems like the Heat-O-Sphere can’t stop talking about it.
Within the last few days though, David Aldridge of The Athletic (subscription required) chimed in on the topic. Specifically, that topic is John Wall and Miami.
“Miami — after he negotiates a buyout from the Rockets,” Aldridge wrote regarding a landing spot for Wall. “Wall lives in Miami in the offseason, and the Heat is famous for extending careers of talented guys who’ve been slowed by injuries mid-career.”
Great minds think alike, apparently. But, on a serious note, Wall to Miami is interesting for both parties.
For the Miami Heat’s sake, it would give you another ball-handler and throughout the season and postseason, injuries happen. If Gabe Vincent struggles to crack the rotation, then Wall works.
Miami Heat Rumors: Houston Up Against A Wall & The Buyout Market
It would be Victor Oladipo insurance as well. With Kyle Lowry looking to push the ball more than Miami has with past teams, Wall could come right in to do the same.
Wall isn’t as fast as he once was, but he still has some bursts in his legs. Wall is still an okay defender and you know that in Miami, you have to defend to stay on the court.
Plus, with Wall on the awful Houston Rockets last year, it was hard to compete every night. I am not going to count Wall’s money, insisting that he should look for a buyout.
That’s not my place nor is it anyone’s place to tell someone what to do with their money. If Wall were looking for a buyout though, then I think Miami and Dallas should be at the top of his list.
Like Aldridge said in his piece, Wall does live in Miami during the offseason and could look for a resurgence in his career. The Miami Heat take pride in improving a guy’s career and Wall would be no different.
Miami Heat Rumors: If John Wall Wants Out, Pat Riley Should Be All Over It
He needs to do whatever is best for him and his family, not people in the media putting in their two cents. His current situation isn’t the best for him going forward.
With Houston in a rebuild and having a lot of young guards on the roster, the writing is on the Wall (see what we did there?). Especially with the second overall pick, Jalen Green, he will have the ball in his hands a lot and that’s not mentioning the further development of guys like Kevin Porter Jr.
There is no point for Wall to be there, unless he wants to play out his contract, mentioning the younger guys. Wall could play for a month and look good to create a market for himself.
I would be stunned if his contract got traded, but he could bolster his buyout market. Miami does have a roster spot available, as of right now and for the right player, the Miami Heat would go over the luxury tax.
Miami could look to trade KZ Okpala, as well, if they didn’t want to go over the cap but still were interested in Wall or another potential player on the market. If Wall were to look for a buyout over the next month, you have to think that Miami would look to bring him in.