In a last-ditch effort to keep James Harden on the team, the Houston Rockets traded Russell Westbrook for John Wall.
This move did not affect Harden’s decision to want to be traded.
John Wall: “yeah I spoke to Harden. he 100% wants to stay in Houston.”
James Harden: pic.twitter.com/LimIXoyW0g
— papiRey🇵🇦 (@yourpapiRey) December 6, 2020
Now, the Rockets are stuck with an aging point guard with one of the worst contracts in the NBA.
With Houston beginning a rebuild in a post-James Harden era, they must move on from Wall.
However, with his contract, it will be a tough task for the front office of the Rockets.
Next time you say to yourself "Let's trade for John wall" look at this asinine contract pic.twitter.com/FY1CqOmpfQ
— LakersSpin (@LakersSpin) November 21, 2018
There are three ways the Rockets can move on from Wall.
Restructure His Contract
The first way the Rockets can move on from Wall is to restructure his contract.
While this will keep Wall on their books for a longer time, it can get him off of the team quicker.
This would be a great move for both parties involved.
The Rockets will be able to have more money to spend in free agency over the next two seasons.
Wall will be free to join a new team that is not rebuilding.
The only downside for the Rockets is that they will be forced to pay Wall for a longer period of time than they would if they did not restructure his contract.
However, as the Rockets are beginning a rebuild, spreading the cost of the mega contract into a more manageable expense over a time that the team will not be competing for championships or playoff spots is the best-case scenario.
Trade Wall For Youth
The second way the Rockets could move on from Wall is to trade him for youth.
With the Rockets beginning their rebuild with a handful of young talented players, they are a trade or two away from being a solid team once again.
The best way to do this while still maintaining a young core would be to trade for a young player.
A potential trade that could get this done would be a four team deal between the Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, and New York Knicks.
The Rockets would receive Collin Sexton and Kristaps Porzingis.
The Knicks would get Wall and Taurean Prince.
The Cavaliers would gain Josh Richardson, Kevin Knox II, Avery Bradley, and three first-round picks.
Finally, the Mavericks would obtain Christian Wood and Eric Gordon.
This would be a deal that all teams win, especially the Rockets.
While they would have to give up a great player like Wood, they would be able to get young talented players like Sexton and Porzingis in return while getting rid of Wall without losing any draft capital.
If they Rockets could work a trade similar to this, it would be a great way to move on from Wall.
Trade For Veterans
The final way the Rockets could move on from Wall is to trade him for another veteran.
This would keep the Rockets in a win-now mode.
It would also give the young players on the team a leader that can mold them into great players and force them to reach their full potential.
A trade that could accomplish this would send Wall to the Boston Celtics for Kemba Walker.
This is the worst move for the Rockets out of all three situations.
Walker is another veteran point guard who, while he has a better contract than Wall, is still overpaid.
Along with this, he is a player who can win a team extra games throughout the year that kill their lottery odds and rebuilding process.
If they Rockets want to still push for the playoffs in the upcoming years, trading Wall for a player like Walker would be a great move.
However, if they want to rebuild, restructuring Wall’s contract or trading him for youth would be the best move.
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