Wizards GM Says Team Has No Plans to Deal John Wall

Washington Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard said on Monday that the team has no plans to trade John Wall.

Washington Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard said the team has "no plans" to trade All-Star point guard John Wall. 

"No, he didn't request [a trade]," Sheppard said. "... John and I talk pretty much once every other day. And [I've] been to many of his workouts throughout the summer, we have always been on the same page, same wavelength. Same with Bradley [Beal]."

Sheppard's comments come after The Athletic's Shams Charania reported Wall made it clear that he wants to be traded from the Wizards.

Sheppard added that there are no conflicts between the two parties and that Wall has expanded his three-point shooting ability. 

"There's no issue with John and I, with John and the Wizards," Sheppard said, per ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. 

Wall is due more than $130 million over the next three seasons and has not appeared in an NBA game since halfway through the 2018-19 season due to multiple injuries. 

Prior to 2018-19, the year in which Wall ruptured his Achilles, the Wizards guard had made five consecutive All-Star teams. 

Washington's roster is currently built around Wall and two-time All-Star Bradley Beal. Sheppard has continuously said that the franchise has no intentions of dealing Beal despite constant trade rumors. 

In addition to its two stars, Washington's roster also features a number of high-upside young players including, Thomas Bryant, Rui Hachimura, Troy Brown, Isaac Bonga and rookies Deni Avdija and Cassius Winston. Davis Bertans, Robin Lopez and Moritz Wagner are other expected key contributors. 

The Wizards enter the 2020-21 season looking to make their first postseason appearance since 2017-18.


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Ben Pickman
BEN PICKMAN