Report: John Wall to sign with Los Angeles Clippers following Rockets buyout

Just hours after exercising his $47.4 million player option for the 2022 NBA season, former Kentucky star and No. 1 overall pick John Wall plans enter a contract buyout with the Houston Rockets and sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to ESPN’s NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.

Other teams have been in contact Wall for his services, but the Clippers have secured the veteran former All Star.

After putting the Kentucky basketball program back on the map alongside DeMarcus Cousins and others during the 2009-2010 seasons, the Washington Wizards would draft Wall, where he’d spend nine seasons with the organization.

During that span, Wall averaged 19 points and 9.2 assists over 573 games. In the one season he played for the Rockets, he averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists but will enter the upcoming season having played just 40 games in nearly three and a half years across the two teams.

Injuries have stacked rather quickly for the former All-NBA performer, who has missed significant time over the last two seasons nursing a left hip injury, and Achilles tear and subsequent infection.

Now, not only does Wall get a payday higher than any he would have received as a free agent in the buyout – he also gets to move to a team of his choosing. A win-win for Wall if there ever was one.

Kentucky contradicts John Calipari daughter’s report on Calipari, NBA Draft attendance

Kentucky Basketball coach John Calipari is typically an annual NBA Draft attendee. He goes to support the players he coached that are getting drafted and seems to find his way in front of a camera during his visits — usually to promote UK hoops. However, it appears Calipari skipped out on the festivities this year. 

According to Matt Jones, of Kentucky Sports Radio, the Wildcats’ head coach was not in attendance on Thursday. Jones tweeted:

“UK confirms that John Calipari didn’t attend the NBA Draft last night but talked to both players before and gave his support.”

Kentucky players Shaedon Sharpe and TyTy Washington were the two representing the ‘Cats at the draft this year. Sharpe famously did not play for Kentucky after reclassifying and joining the 2021-22 team. He declared for the 2022 draft and kept his name in rather than ever suit up in the blue and white, and was drafted seventh by Portland. 

Meanwhile, TyTy Washington was one of the last green room invitees remaining. Memphis finally took him at 29 and wound up being trading him to Houston.