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Houston Rockets: Why they should not play John Wall next season

By Zamir Bueno

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 19: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat laughs with John Wall #1 of the Houston Rockets after the game at American Airlines Arena on April 19, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 19: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat laughs with John Wall #1 of the Houston Rockets after the game at American Airlines Arena on April 19, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets Mandatory Credit: Michael Wyke/POOL PHOTOS-USA TODAY Sports /

How John Wall would affect Kevin Porter Jr. if he plays for the Houston Rockets

Consequently, it takes a trade-off the table. However, removing a trade from the table creates a whole different issue because that means that John Wall will be on the court with a young player who the Houston Rockets like, Kevin Porter Jr.

Porter is a player who excels with the ball in his hands. For instance, he is shooting 37.8 percent as a pick-and-roll ball-handler on 5.5 attempts per game. The shooting percentage has helped him generate 5.9 points on 7.7 possessions per game, 35.5 percent of his scoring output.

If Porter has the ball in his hands, that means that John Wall will be playing off the ball as a floor spacer. Unfortunately, John Wall is a below-average 3-point shooter as he has a career shooting percentage of 32.3 percent on 3.1 attempts per game.

Consequently, it increases the chances of Porter Jr. being double-teamed, which is not what you want. On the other hand, if the Houston Rockets decided to showcase Wall to elevate his trade value, he would have to be a primary pick and roll ball handler.

Wall has thrived as a pick and roll ball handler since 2015, shooting 43 percent from the field on 6.3 attempts per game, creating 6.8 points. This is 32.4 percent of his scoring output as he is averaging 21 points per game.

Unfortunately, the Rockets would face the same issue when Wall has the ball because Porter is a below-average shooter. Porter converted 32.3 percent of his threes on 4.2 attempts. Therefore, the Rockets are in the same situation because Porter’s defender will leave him wide open when he is off the ball to go help elsewhere, increasing the likelihood that John Wall gets double-teamed.

Another issue that may arise with John Wall being on the court is another possible injury that would further decrease his trade value. If John Wall’s injured, the Houston Rockets would have to attach more draft picks in the potential trade to entice a team to take him on.

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