John Wall is set to sign with the LA Clippers, while the Nets have granted Kyrie Irving permission to seek sign-and-trade packages. Reportedly, the Lakers are the only team interested in pursuing a deal--plus, the Kevin Durant factor.
John Wall set to sign with the LA Clippers
The Houston Rockets and John Wall have reached a buyout agreement, and the guard plans to sign a free-agent deal with the LA Clippers, according to sources who spoke to ESPN on Monday.
Wall was due $47.4 million from the Rockets after exercising the player option for the final year of his contract. However, Wall agreed to take $6.5 million less to become a free agent, a source told ESPN.
The Rockets were eager to secure an agreement with Wall before NBA free agency begins on Thursday.
Last season, despite Wall's $44.3 million salary, he and the Rockets came to a mutual agreement he would not play, as Houston was in the early stages of rebuilding the team. The Rockets preferred to prioritize the development of a pair of younger guards, Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green, and the veteran guard did not fit in the franchise's long-term plans.
Despite the Rockets' vision of the team's future, Wall, 31, proved he could still play at a high level during the 2020-2021 season, as he averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists in 40 games.
Nets grant Irving permission to seek sign-and-trade deals
Kyrie Irving has been granted permission to seek out sign-and-trade packages, but the problem is a lack of trading partners, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation the New York Daily News reported.
So far, only the Los Angeles Lakers have shown interest, and the Nets appear to have no interest in taking back the available Lakers packages, according to sources, ESPN reported.
How Durant figures into the picture
Superstar forward Kevin Durant, one of the elite players in the NBA, also figures into trade deals. He has four years left on his contract and is an advocate for the Nets committing to a long-term deal for Irving. Numerous teams around the league are said to be preparing to pursue Durant should he become available. Reportedly, Nets GM Sean Marks and Durant have yet to speak this offseason.