John Wall ‘probably’ won’t play next season

John Wall’s rehab from a torn Achilles appears to be going well. The Wizards star is out his walking boot and as of last month, he told NBC Sports Washington that he was a few weeks away from jogging. 

But at a press conference Monday, Wizards owner Ted Leonsis said Wall “probably won’t play at all” next season.

Leonsis said he reads daily reports about Wall’s health and watches video of his rehab.

“We text and talk all the time,” Leonsis said. “I think great athletes think that’s fantastic. We care about him.”

Wall’s injury caused the Wizards to need “radical change,” Leonsis said. After finding out in February that the 29-year-old tore his Achilles, the Wizards changed their approach to the trade deadline — dumping Otto Porter and Markieff Morris to save money. That kicked off a rebuild for the Wizards, who have gotten especially younger this offseason. 

Wall is set to make $38 million in 2019-2020. Next season will be the first year of Wall’s four-year, $171 million supermax extension, which he signed in 2017. 

The five-time All-Star appeared in just 32 games last season. His year was cut short when he decided to undergo surgery for bone spurs in December. In late January, Wall slipped and fell at his home, tearing his Achilles. 

To replace Wall, the Wizards signed veteran Isaiah Thomas and Ish Smith this offseason. They let their former Wall fill-in, Tomas Satoransky, sign a three-year, $30 million deal with the Chicago Bulls in the offseason.

The Wizards initially said Wall’s recovery would take anywhere from 11 to 15 months.

Earlier this month, Washington applied for a disabled player exception — worth up to $9 million if granted — to help replace Wall. 

Leonsis also gave an update on Wall’s health in a video posted to the team’s Twitter feed: 

.@TedLeonsis our roster following the Monumental Basketball announcement, including updates on John Wall.#DCFamily pic.twitter.com/xWgj3051YD

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) July 22, 2019