Now that the free agency craze in the NBA is over, we will hear news about players signing overseas deals, landing G League deals, or announcing their retirement after failing to find an opportunity in the league. Some of these will include former members of the Houston Rockets, and that is what happened with John Wall on Tuesday.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Wall is retiring from basketball at the age of 34. Even though Wall hasn't played in the NBA since the 2022-23 season, this marks the end of an era for one of the most athletic and exciting guards of his generation.
After 11 seasons, John Wall says he has retired from basketball. Wall, a five-time NBA All-Star out of Kentucky, played for the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 19, 2025
Former Rockets G John Wall Announces Retirement from the NBA
Wall had the best years of his basketball career with the Washington Wizards, making five All-Star teams. He has carried the Wizards to multiple playoff appearances and created a deadly backcourt duo with Bradley Beal.
Unfortunately, injuries caught up to Wall over the years, most notably rupturing his Achilles tendon when he was recovering from a heel injury in February 2019. The All-Star guard was never the same after that, and because of the massive extension he had signed prior to the injury, he was considered a toxic contract, not allowing him to get the opportunities he deserved afterwards.
He was eventually traded to the Rockets in December 2020 in exchange for Russell Westbrook and made his return from injury in Houston, averaging 20.6 points and 6.9 assists in 40 starts for the Rockets. When Houston decided to start a rebuild and traded James Harden, Wall's tenure with the Rockets came to an end.
First, the Rockets and Wall came to an agreement for him not to play in the 2021-22 season to give Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green more playing time. After the season, the Rockets bought out Wall's contract and let him sign with the LA Clippers. His tenure in Los Angeles didn't go according to plan, either, getting traded at the 2023 deadline.
Wall has been trying to make a return to the NBA ever since, but it looks like all doors have closed on the former All-NBA guard. While he wasn't able to win an NBA title or reach the heights many have thought, the former No. 1 overall pick will be remembered as one of the most electrifying guards the league has ever seen.