Former Washington Wizards star says he’s open to joining the Miami Heat

On a recent episode of “The OGs” podcast, Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller extended a warm welcome to John Wall, a five-time NBA All-Star and Dunk Contest champion. They gave insights from their perspectives on the league's finest players, Wall's triumphant return to the NBA, his mental struggles, and much more.

Wall also admitted that he would welcome a chance to join the Miami Heat if the opportunity presented itself.

Wall, who has been out of the NBA since February 2023, expressed his eagerness to make a comeback. Unfortunately, his career has been plagued by various injuries, notably a ruptured Achilles that kept him out for the entire 2019-20 season. As a result, he has struggled to regain his previous level of performance, leading to limited interest from NBA franchises in offering him a contract. Wall says he’s open to playing for Miami.

"“I feel like I could help them a lot. Getting Terry was a great piece for them. Even if I came off the bench I could impact them, Wall said with emphasis. “Me and UD talk bout this plenty of times, and I workout with Bam a lot.”"

Who is John Wall? 

Former point guard John Wall remains determined to continue his basketball career despite not being part of an NBA team. The agile guard has been away from the NBA since the beginning of 2023. He has often talked about his struggles with his mental health, which he often mentions were particularly hard to deal with during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During his time with the LA Clippers last season, Wall showcased his skills by averaging 11.4 points, 5.2 assists, and 2.7 rebounds in 34 games before being traded back to the Houston Rockets. Although he faced some challenges with shot selection, Wall demonstrated that he still possesses the talent to compete at the NBA level.

His departure from the Clippers and subsequent signing of Russell Westbrook marked a turning point in his career. Wall spent nine seasons with the Washington Wizards, the team that drafted him, where he achieved many accolades including being a five-time NBA All-star, All-Defensive Second-Team member (2015), and NBA All-Star Third-team member (2017). 

The former Kentucky star who was named an All-Star five times in the past, is not retired and remains in pursuit of an opportunity to return to the NBA. Wall averaged 18.7 points, 8.9 assists, 4.2 assists, and 1.6 steals. 

The Quest For An NBA Comeback

Despite struggles with injuries and mental health issues, Wall's performance with the Houston Rockets in 2021 showed that he still can contribute on the court. As he looks for a new opportunity in the NBA, Wall will need the right mix of health and playing time to make a successful comeback. Since leaving the Washington Wizards in 2020, Wall has been searching for the ideal situation to reignite his career. A few months ago, Wall expressed his desire to return to the NBA.

Currently out of the league, the five-time NBA All-Star said he is interested in continuing to play and working on his conditioning and game so that he will be ready when an opportunity for an NBA return comes along.

John Wall still loves basketball

In a recent interview for Bleacher Report in November, Wall mentioned that he is open to the possibility of making a comeback to competitive basketball. He expressed confidence in his physical condition and hoped to attract interest from various teams. Wall said he still loves the game of basketball. It is something he is holding on to, as he remains hopeful of making a comeback in the NBA.

"“I love the game, I still get up every morning at 6 am, [I] work out. I’m still dedicated to getting back in, I think something will happen soon. For me, I still love the grind, I still love to get up and put the work in,” Wall said with pride. “You just saw me work out for an hour, hour-thirty. No matter what, I still love the game. If I still have the hunger and desire to be in the NBA, I’ll continue to chase my dream to get back in. It’s just being patient, staying ready, and just letting God do his work, and being ready whenever your name is called.”"

Could Wall provide a boost for the Miami Heat?

Wall, who is 33 years old, has not played 41 or fewer games in any season since 2017-18. He missed the entire 2019-20 season due to injury and the 2021-22 season due to a sit-out. Despite being a reliable bench guard for the Clippers last season, it is clear that Wall is not the same player he once was. His defense and athleticism have noticeably declined over the past few years. 

Additionally, Miami already has five primary guards on their roster, including Terry Rozier, Patty Mills, and Delon Wright, all of whom were acquired mid-season. Even if Wall expresses interest in joining the Heat, it would not be a logical move for the team to bring him on board.

What other NBA teams could have interest in John wall?

Wall has experienced a period of relative silence since his last appearance in the NBA. Nevertheless, in July 2023, Wall organized a workout session, which attracted the attention of several teams, including the Portland Trail Blazers and Boston Celtics. Interestingly enough, the Trail Blazers and Celtics managed to address their need for an experienced guard through a trade with each other. Portland acquired Malcolm Brogdon, while Boston obtained Jrue Holiday. Apart from attending Wall's workout, there have been no further reports indicating that these two teams have expressed interest in signing him. 

Wall was an exceptional and thrilling player to observe during his peak. While it may appear improbable, witnessing Wall in the NBA once more contending for a championship would be enjoyable. Nevertheless, Wall has achieved a prosperous NBA career thus far. Time will tell if his aspirations of making a comeback in the NBA will materialize.