John Wall, NBA
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Former No. 1 Pick John Wall Says He's Longing For NBA Return

Former No. 1 overall draft pick John Wall isn't giving up on his dream. And today, that dream is simply to return to the NBA.

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Sounds reasonable enough, right? Wall seems to think so.

"For me, I'm not giving up on my dreams of getting back into the league," Wall said on ESPN's Summer League broadcast, via RealGM. "I know it's a lot of stuff that I dealt with, with injuries...My focus is to still work hard and come here and network and be around teams. Whatever role it is, I'm willing to accept. If it's going to a team and being a vet and teaching the young guys how to be a point guard, just to help, that's a development I'm willing to do."

Wall, 33, did not play in the NBA this past season. He did work out for a few teams in December. He lives in Miami, which could make him a natural fit for the Heat.

You can never have a shortage of veteran guards, particularly if you're a playoff contender — especially with as many injuries as the NBA experiences these days. There are so many that the league even made rules before last season to keep guys on the court. It hasn't worked.

Anyway, Wall showed he still had some game left during a run with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2022-23, when he averaged 11.4 points and 5.2 assists in 34 appearances. He was then traded to the Houston Rockets at the deadline in February 2023, and then immediately waived. He hasn't been on a team since. He might be worth a flyer if he takes the veteran's minimum.

Wall is represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, who represents tons of players and tends to find work for his guys.

(This article originally appeared on Hoops Wire and was republished with permission.)