Written by Rohan Nadkarni at SI.com
The Washington Wizards received great news Friday, as franchise point guard John Wall announced he would accept the team’s supermax contract extension offer. The extension adds four years to Wall’s existing contract, and could keep him in D.C. through 2023. The final season of the deal is a player option.
Wall’s extension coincides with swingman Otto Porter also signing a max deal this summer, solidifying the team’s young core of Wall, Porter and shooting guard Bradley Beal. All three are signed through at least 2020, and Washington will likely have to continue to dip into the luxury tax to ensure it remains a contender throughout the length of their deals.
In an era of superstar instability, Wall’s decision is extremely meaningful for the Wizards. The announcement came the same day Kyrie Irving requested a trade, weeks after Jimmy Butler and Paul George were traded, and in the same month Gordon Hayward announced he would be leaving the Utah Jazz. Amid the flurry of movement, Wall is deciding to stay with a team that could soon shoot to the top of the imploding East.
Seriously, who in Wall’s conference will be a contender at this time next year? If LeBron heads West and Kyrie leaves Ohio, the Cavs will freefall. Toronto’s core is older than Washington’s, and less talented to boot. Would you rather have the Wizards’ big three of Wall, Beal and Porter, or the Celtics’ likely three-max core of Isaiah Thomas, Al Horford and Hayward?
Wall’s deal is more than just about him taking the most money possible. And we know Wall is sensitive about his contract situation. He’s also now set himself up for potentially huge success right as he’s about to enter his prime. Wall will turn 27 right before the start of this season, meaning he should spend the best years of his career—with seemingly healthier knees than in the past—all with the Wizards.
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