Just two weeks ago, Washington Wizards star John Wall was making his pitch to then-Indiana Pacers star Paul George to get traded to D.C. We all know how that worked out, but had the Wizards landed George it would have meant incumbent small forward Otto Porter Jr. would be gone. Instead, Porter Jr. will be back once Washington formally matches the offer sheet he got from the Nets. Candace Buckner of The Washington Post caught up with Wall to talk to him about his comments, his contract extension and more:
On Monday, Wall appeared at the Wizards’ NBA Summer League game, and when asked about his remarks, he explained his position and offered no apologies.
“Otto’s going to be a great player for us, a great role player for a lot of teams. There’s a difference between a role player and a superstar. It’s a big difference. There’s a lot teams that will make a lot of trades for a superstar,” Wall said. “Look at Kevin Love getting traded for Andrew Wiggins, you never know who that player going to turn out to be.”
Then, Wall specifically addressed the reaction.
“It’s what people are going to say about it,” Wall said. “I love Otto as a teammate, but at the end of the day if you can make your team better, you can always do that. If people take it the wrong way, then so be it.”
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On the topic of his own extension, Wall is in no rush. When Wall made the all-NBA third team after last season, he qualified for the designated player exception (a four-year deal that pays out the highest amount possible). While Wall reiterated his devotion to the city, he plans to carefully consider the decision that could keep him with the Wizards for the next six years and through the prime of his career.
“I’m just chillin’. Just trying to figure out to negotiate it and manipulate it the way you want it to be,” Wall said, smiling, when asked about his status on a decision. “Everybody know where I want to play and where I want to be. Everybody took it the wrong way [when it was reported] I wanted to wait. It’s a big decision. I love D.C.
“Everything I do, I do it for the city of D.C., I do so much in the community. If it wasn’t for the love of that, I wouldn’t do it.”
