John Wall Denies Report He Views Himself as Rockets' No. 1 Option in Potential Return

Former All-Star point guard John Wall has yet to see the floor for the Houston Rockets this season as the team is undergoing a rebuild and focusing on its younger players.

It doesn't seem that Wall will return to the court anytime soon. NBA analyst Jordan Schultz reported that Wall's situation won't change because he sees himself as the No. 1 option on the team, but the 31-year-old called the report "a lie."

Houston has been unable to find a trade partner that would take on Wall, particularly because of his contract. He signed a four-year contract extension worth $170 million with the Washington Wizards in 2017 and is owed $91.7 million over the next two seasons. Wall is expected to pick up a player option worth $47.4 million for the 2022-23 season, making teams hesitant to acquire him.

The Rockets acquired Wall last season in a deal that sent Russell Westbrook to the Wizards. In 40 games for Houston, Wall averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists.

Known for his speed and quickness, Wall was once one of the most explosive point guards in the league. But the five-time All-Star has been unable to stay healthy in recent years as injuries have limited him to 113 games over the last four seasons. He sat out all of 2019-20 because of a torn Achilles.

The Rockets are last in the Western Conference with a 3-16 record. Houston has been developing its young core, led by 2021 No. 2 overall pick Jalen Green, who is 19, and 21-year-old third-year guard Kevin Porter Jr.

No player on the Rockets averages more than 20 points. Fourth-year center Christian Wood leads the team with 16.4 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. Green has gone through some rookie growing pains and averages 14.0 points on 38.2 percent shooting.

Houston will go for its third straight win Monday at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder.