Rockets Hoping Healthy John Wall Entices James Harden To Stay In Houston, KD Says Wall Looks ‘Amazing’

By trading disgruntled guard Russell Westbrook to the Wizards in exchange for John Wall, the Rockets are hoping to make their team better and to entice James Harden to remain in Houston.

Kevin Durant, who said reports that he had conversations with Harden about becoming part of a “Big Three” with himself and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn were “made up,” says he recently worked out with Wall and he looks “amazing.”

“He looked amazing to me,” Durant said Tuesday on a Zoom call with reporters before the Westbrook trade. “He looked great. … I’m excited to see John play again. He’s been out for two years now. I know he wants to go out there and play great basketball and lead that team, so I’m excited for him that he’s back.”

It would be somewhat ironic if a rejuvenated Wall did motivate Harden to remain in Houston, given that the basketball world is intrigued by the possibility of seeing “The Beard” join forces with Durant and Irving.

“[Harden] had a preference of John Wall over Westbrook, although in the last couple years, Harden has moved teammates in and out,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said Thursday morning on “Get Up.” “Brought Chris Paul in, moved him out. Same with Russell Westbrook now.

“Whether that’s going to be enough to convince [Harden] to want to be there long-term, the Rockets aren’t sure about that. They do have cushion to work with. Remember, James Harden’s under contract for two more years so they’re going to start the season with Harden and Wall and they’re hopeful that John Wall can get back to that All-Star form, a five-time All-Star, a former No. 1 overall pick, and if they can get John Wall back playing at a high level, that will help to make a case to James Harden.”

Wall hasn’t played in the NBA since early 2019 after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon. In October, he said “felt young” heading into this season.

“I feel young, to be honest,”Wall told NBC Sports Washington. “I hooped today and I [said] I didn’t even feel like I played today. You know, that’s the most important thing to me, just locking in to have my body prepared for a whole season, no matter how many minutes I play.”

A former No. 1 overall pick from Kentucky, Wall averaged 19.0 points on 43.3 percent shooting and 9.2 assists in 35.9 minutes per game in nine seasons in Washington.

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