All summer exercise reports should be taken with a grain of salt, but there remains hope that John Wall may rejoin the Clippers this year. Wall "looked bright in offseason workouts and is set to be a contributor for the Clippers," a source told Marc Stein on Sunday. These ideas have been expressed by others as well, notably Paul George.
Due to injuries, COVID, and the Rockets sending him home, Wall has only played in 40 games throughout three seasons. What was, however, only a small portion of what Wall had to cope with during the previous 30 months. When speaking at a garden dedication for his mother at the Salvation Army of Wake County in North Carolina, where he grew up, Wall talked openly about everything, including having suicidal thoughts and visiting a therapist.
Wall's reflections on the previous 2.5 years:
The darkest spot I've ever been to. I mean, there was a time when I contemplated suicide. My mom's illness, my mom's death, and my grandma's death a year later, all this amid COVID at the same time, threatens to tear my Achilles. I underwent chemotherapy, witnessed my mother's passing, and spent three days on the couch next to her while wearing the same outfit.
"If I can overcome this, I can overcome anything in life... Support from my hometown means a lot to me because it allows me to be back where I want to be and see that the fans still want me to play.
"You know, many people believe 'I don't need help. I had to go get a therapist. At any time, I can finish it. But as I did, you must be honest and determine what is best for you.
Well done, Wall, for raising this. It is crucial.
Following in the footsteps of DeMar DeRozan and Kevin Love to remove the stigma associated with seeking help and visiting a therapist, Wall is the most recent NBA player to be open and take a stand.
Wall missed the 2019–20 season to recover from his torn Achilles, played 40 games in Houston the next year, but sat out the whole 2018–19 campaign after growing increasingly angry that the Rockets refused to play him or move him. Wall made a prudent decision to lock up his $47 million contract this season, was promptly bought out by the Rockets (when no trade proposal surfaced), and joined the Clippers. He and Reggie Jackson will alternate shifts at the point in Los Angeles.
The goal for Los Angeles will be to keep Wall healthy. He hasn't played more than half a season since 2016–17, but Wall has been decent to excellent when he has. Even while Wall's explosive burst may not be the same, the Clippers under Tyronn Lue may be able to bring out more craft he frequently receives credit for in his game. Wall should be more motivated because he is a team member with a shot at a championship.
However, after the previous 30 months, simply entering the court serves as inspiration.
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