It’s always risky when highly-paid professional athletes claim to suffer from a level of underpaid-ness, yet John Wall has done that, and may have a point. He’s No. 3 on the Wizards’ payroll yet clearly the best player on the roster. Will the new labor agreement, which favors star players, help him out? Wall would like to know, and Candace Buckner of the Washington Post explored the issue:
As Wall has emerged as the face of the franchise, he has felt underappreciated by the rest of the league, and the new CBA, which was tentatively agreed to by the league and its players’union on Wednesday night, could unwittingly buttress his perception. On Thursday, Wall addressed the proposed designated veteran rule and how it might affect his contract status.
“I feel like it’s amazing and crazy because I had my best year, like, two years ago, my second year [as an] all-star, I averaged 20 and 10 and was a starter but couldn’t make all-NBA team,”Wall said. “So I mean, you want those individual accolades but it’s to the point that [if] you get your recognition, then you get it. You only get those [individual honors] by winning. When I did and had an opportunity to win, I still didn’t make it.”
Those accolades could end up affecting Wall’s eligibility for the designated veteran exception, a new measure in the CBA, which must still be ratified. Players who qualify for the exception —up to two per team —will be able to sign longer contract extensions than under the previous CBA. This gives superstars more financial motivation to re-sign with their original teams, and gives franchises —whether a small-market organization or one that cannot draw big-name free agents —a greater chance of keeping homegrown talent.
Here’s where Wall’s trophy shelf comes into play. According to a person with knowledge of the CBA discussions between the league and the National Basketball Players Association, the designated veteran rule extends to those who have achieved all-NBA status or won high individual honors such as league MVP or defensive player of the year. Wall, in his seventh season, is a three-time all-star but has not made the all-NBA team nor contended for MVP or defensive player of the year.
Hypothetically, if Wall makes the 2016-17 all-NBA team, next summer he would be eligible for a four-year contract extension at 35 percent of the Wizards’total salary cap amount, the maximum allowed under the salary cap. Without any of those honors, Wall, 26, would still be in line for a three-year extension at 30 percent of the cap. A hefty raise, for sure, but one that would leave Wall behind many of his superstar peers.
