MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 04: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards looks on from the bench against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on January 4, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
John Wall is already out for this season, but now his availability for the 2019-20 season has to be in doubt.
It has been a rough season overall for the Washington Wizards. They’re only three games back of the final playoff spot in the East though, despite John Wall not playing since just after Christmas due to a left heel issue that required season-ending surgery. Now, according to the team, Wall will undergo surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles’ tendon and is expected to miss around 12 months from the time of the procedure.
Wall apparently developed an infection in the incision from his initial heel surgery in early January, then the Achilles’ rupture came when he slipped and fell at home. He had been dealing with the heel issue for a long time, with bone spurs causing a lingering problem, and an Achilles’ injury is absolutely related. An original 6-8 month recovery timetable after the first surgery is now naturally extended out.
Injuries are nothing new for Wall, as he missed 41 games last season and played less than 80 games in each of the three seasons prior to that. But it’s a doubly huge blow for the Wizards to be without their point guard for longer than initially expected, as Wall will start a four-year, $170 million max contract next season.
Wall is almost certainly out through the All-Star break next season, with his minutes sure to be limited for awhile if or when he does return to action. Even if the Wizards wanted to entertain trading him, the bloated contract and missing big chunks of what will wind up being three straight seasons will keep any interest away.
The Wizards plan for this week’s trade deadline should not be affected by the dismal change in Wall’s status going forward. But during the offseason, it’s easy to see a shift way from owner Ted Leonsis’ current public stance in regard to trading some notable players coming.