Source Suggests Knicks Could Have Interest In Rockets’ John Wall

The Knicks could potentially have an interest in available Rockets point guard John Wall in the event they look to trade point guard Kemba Walker, a source told A. Sherrod Blakely of Bleacher Report.

Wall has yet to play this season as the Rockets explore a trade. He recently expressed a desire to return, per reports, though the Rockets are hesitant to put him back in uniform. Wall seemingly would be prefer to start, while the Rockets are more inclined to bring him off the bench behind young guards Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr.

Meanwhile, Walker has been benched by Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau in favor of guard Alec Burks.

Sources told Blakely the Knicks very well could look to move Walker, who they landed this offseason after a buyout with the Thunder. Walker was traded from the Celtics to Thunder after last season. Since Walker signed during this past offseason, the Knicks can’t trade him until Dec. 15.

In 18 games this season, Walker is averaging 11.7 points and 3.1 assists, far from his All-Star numbers of yesteryear. Knee issues limited him to just 43 games last season with the Celtics.

Still, there could be interest in him, as Walker has always been a pro and could still help a team as a veteran presence in reserve — similar to the role Derrick Rose is currently playing with the Knicks.

“League sources believe Walker’s value has the potential to change as the Knicks get closer to the Feb. 10 trade deadline and teams get more desperate to add a veteran who, despite his defensive shortcomings, has shown he can still make shots, albeit in a more limited capacity,” Blakely wrote.

Wall, 31, is due $91.7 million over the next two seasons. He had been linked to the Clippers, Heat, Pistons and 76ers, among others, before the season. But those seemingly were mere rumors. He said he has no preference or “wish list” when it comes to his next destination.

“My job is to be here with this team, stay healthy and see what the future holds,” Wall told reporters back in late September.

But finding a deal has been difficult, given his age and contract situation.

“Any team that would potentially trade for him would want him to decline that option,” Wojnarowski said during a recent ESPN appearance. “Well, he’s not doing that, he’s not giving that money back.”

Wall appeared in 40 games last season, his first with the Rockets following the Russell Westbrook trade with the Wizards. He averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists, proving to be a leader and a true professional in a losing situation.

While this is all speculation at this point, Blakely’s sources are giving us something to think about. A Wall-Walker trade may make sense for both sides.