John Wall comments on signing with Clippers

New Clippers addition John Wall sat down with Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN to discuss his opportunity with what could be one of the deepest contenders in the league next season, topped by All-NBA swingmen Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

Wall, a five-time All-Star with the Wizards before a series of lower body injuries limited his availability, agreed to sit out the entire 2021-22 season for the Rockets as Houston prioritized developing younger backcourt talent. After agreeing to a buyout of his contract with the Rockets during the 2022 offseason, Wall signed a two-year, $13.2M deal with the Clippers as an unrestricted free agent.

“I think they’re just a first-class organization, great teammates over here,” Wall said of joining L.A. this summer. “I just feel like they have a great culture… Also not having to be a Batman every night, having an opportunity to play with other players where I can take a backseat, and develop my game but also just help those guys as much as possible.”

Here are more highlights from their conversation:

• Wall addressed how his game will adapt to sliding down the Clippers’ depth chart after being one of the top two offensive options, alongside shooting guard Bradley Beal, for the majority of his NBA career while with the Wizards. 

“I know I’m still a talented player,” Wall acknowledged. “I know all the things that I’ve worked on, especially being able to knock down catch-and-shoot shots because I probably won’t have the ball in my hands as much [as on past teams]. But at the same time they still want me to be myself, be aggressive, be able to break down the defense for [Leonard and George]. I think… sometimes in the fourth quarter a lot of teams [are] keyed in on Kawhi and Paul George. I think that’s an opportunity for me to excel.”

• “Still can’t believe it,” he said of his chance to play along the two All-NBA wings, where he anticipates leaning in to his abilities as a facilitator. “I can’t wait till I have the opportunity to be on the floor with those guys. I’ve just always been a past-first point guard… But my best attribute is being able to pass the ball.”
• When asked about his expected training camp competition with incumbent Clipper Reggie Jackson for dibs on the starting point guard role with Los Angeles next season, Wall was diplomatic. “I’m a competitor like he’s a competitor,” Wall began. “We’re two very talented players. He’s been great for this team the last couple of years… We’re just going to battle it out.” Jackson will be on the last season of a two-year, $22M contract he signed to stick with the Clippers through 2023.