Washington Wizards: 2019-20 NBA season preview

Storyline No. 3: What will John Wall’s role be with the team, return or not?

There has been much speculation about whether Beal will decide to accept a contract extension projected to value $111 million over three years. A fair share of narratives regarding Beal’s 2020 free agency and possible trade scenarios for the former Florida star have also circulated in the sports media.

While no news is to be believed until it’s seen, one crucial aspect about the Wizards that has been left out of the conversation recently is John Wall’s recovery and eventual return to playing with his team.

The Wizards announced on Feb. 5, 2019, that Wall would undergo season-ending surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon in his left heel. Fast-forward to Sept. 2019, and he continues with his recovery from the successful surgical procedure.

Wall provided an update on his recovery during a Sept. 17 Washington Mystics WNBA Semifinals game. He said that he had been working on ball-handling and shooting jump shots, both encouraging signs.

NBC Sports Washington’s Chris Miller reported that Wall will not rush back to playing, even if he sits out the whole 2019-2020 season. Though the typical rehabilitation timeline for an Achilles injury would have Wall back on the court between mid-January and the end of the season, he said in an interview with Miller that he will take his time.

Though Wall will likely not play in the upcoming season, that does not at all mean that he will not contribute to the team. With Miller, he discussed his desire to mentor Hachimura, saying the following:

"“I’m gonna help him a lot. I just kind of got a flow going with him because he got back yesterday. He was over [in China] playing in the World Cup. It was great to see him get that experience and have some fun. Now, I’m here so I can be around him a lot and be in the locker room with him and talk to him. I’m gonna take him to a couple of dinner spots he doesn’t know about yet. Just try to pick his brain and help him along the way as much as possible,” Wall said."

Wall will also contribute to the Wizards as an assistant coach of sorts, according to Sheppard.

"“[Brooks] has kind of made him an assistant coach in effect in practice. He’s got some people he’s going to be responsible for. I think anybody who’s ever sat with John knows that he’s a basketball savant. He knows where all 13 people are on the court at all times, including the refs. He’s got a lot of knowledge and we’re challenging him to share that knowledge with our young guys.”"

An early return for Wall would certainly be ideal, but Brooks, Sheppard and the training staff should ensure that he is fully healthy before coming back to the fray. Regardless of when Wall will grace the court again, it appears that he will still very much be part of the Wizards in 2019-2020.