Washington Wizards Must Do Whatever It Takes To Pay John Wall
Washington Wizards star John Wall signed a max contract extension a few years ago, but it’s almost time for him to get paid again.
It’s no secret that John Wall is the best player on the Washington Wizards‘ roster. But this season, he’s emerged as one of the best guards – and players – in the NBA.
Averaging roughly 24 points, 4 rebounds and 10 assists per game, Wall is having a career season following double-knee surgery.
Still, he’s the second highest paid player on the team after Bradley Beal signed a $120 million max contract over the summer.
Beal, who’s also having the most productive season of his career, has blossomed into a player worthy of All-Star consideration, but he’s still not at Wall’s level, who’s made the All-Star team three years in a row.
Previously, Wall has been outspoken about other players’ contracts, specifically that of the Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson.
“People talk about me getting $80 million, now you got people getting $85 million that haven’t made the All-Star (Game) or anything like that,” Wall said. “I guess they came in at the right time. That new CBA kicked in and they’re good now. Reggie Jackson gets five years, $80 million. I’m getting the same as Reggie Jackson.”
Currently, Wall is under a five-year, $80 million max contract, signed in 2013, through the 2018-2019 season.
Recently, the NBA and the NBPA came to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement.
The proposed CBA includes a “designated veteran player exception” or DPE.
Under this provision, if the veteran chooses to re-sign with his team, then he can get up to 35 percent of the salary cap provided that certain criteria are met:
(1) ‘Must be on the team that drafted him/ traded on his rookie deal to another team and
(2) Makes one of three All-NBA teams or is Defensive Player of the Year or the MVP the previous season or
(3) Made one of the three All-NBA teams or has been named defensive player of the year in two of the prior three seasons or the league’s MVP in one of the three prior seasons.’
The DPE is available for up to two players per team.
Currently, Wall doesn’t quality for the exception because he has not made any All-NBA teams, been an MVP, nor has he been Defensive Player of the Year.
Nonetheless, it’s not too late for Wall to make an All-NBA team for the 2016-2017 season.
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But let’s say for the sake of argument, that Wall doesn’t qualify for the DPE when he signs his new contract with the Washington Wizards.
One of two things can happen.
First, Wall is still eligible to receive up to 30 percent of the salary cap.
And secondly, the Wizards’ owner Ted Leonsis can take a hit from the NBA tax man, which in basketball parlance is known as the luxury tax.
A part of the luxury tax money can go to any non-tax paying team and at least 50 percent must go towards “league purposes.”
Leonsis can choose to go above the Wizards’ salary cap, take a luxury tax hit and pay Wall the money that he so rightly deserves.
How many more Verizon Center seats would go empty if John Wall wasn’t wearing a Wizards’ jersey? And how many channels would still be tuned to CSN-MA if Wall isn’t on the court?
Without Wall there is no Washington Wizards.
Right now, there are tickets to the Wizards’ home games going for $6. A ticket to a Wizards’ game costs less than the price of that free chicken sandwich fans in attendance get.
If the Washington Wizards don’t pay Wall the money he deserves, there are 29 other teams that would be more than willing to do so.