Houston Rockets: 3 reasons the Rockets shouldn’t buyout John Wall

The Houston Rockets are in the midst of one of the franchise’s worst seasons. They set a franchise record with 20 consecutive losses and their 12-39 record has them on pace to post their worst winning percentage since 1982-83.

All of this is happening as former-franchise superstar James Harden is lighting up the league for the Brooklyn Nets. The Rockets began the season with a playoff-caliber team and will end it with a real chance at the number one overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft.

When teams endure a season as bad as the Rockets have they usually look to offload key veterans in the hopes of building for a brighter future. In many respects, the Rockets have already started this process with their trades of P.J. Tucker and Victor Oladipo following their plunge down the standings.

What will the Houston Rockets do with John Wall?

Eric Gordon, if it wasn’t for a groin injury, may have also been moved ahead of the trade deadline, and he’ll likely be the subject of trade rumors all offseason. The Rockets are close to clearing out the cupboard of their high-priced veterans as they engage in their most aggressive rebuild in decades.

However, the Rockets still have one highly paid veteran left on their roster in John Wall. Wall’s trade market is essentially non-existent due to the $91.6 million left on his contract and his inability to stay healthy, which leaves the Rockets with two choices.

They can either let Wall play his contract out or buy him out at some point over the next few seasons. While there is some merit to buying him out as soon as possible, these are three reasons the Rockets should keep Wall throughout the duration of his contract and not buy him out.

Next: Reason #3