Brooks says Wall is ready to play for Wizards, has his speed back originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
You wouldn't know of recent reports John Wall had requested a trade by the way Wizards head coach Scott Brooks talked about him on Monday, the first day of individual workouts.
Brooks said he went to see Wall work out in Los Angeles last month and it sounds like the five-time All-Star is in Washington, ready to report to camp and gear up for his long-awaited return from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
"He's ready, he's ready to go. He's excited. He's been in town doing some workouts," Brooks said.
Brooks set measured expectations about Wall's immediate future, citing how his conditioning needs to improve and the team will play it safe early on with his workload. But as far as how Wall looks on the court, Brooks spoke about as positively as one could.
"He's as good and strong as he's ever been. He has his speed and strength and his shot looks great," Brooks said.
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If that is indeed the case, that would be fantastic news for the Wizards, as their future hinges greatly on how Wall returns. If he is actually as fast and as good as he's ever been, that would mean they have a great chance of getting value out of the large investment they have made in him.
Wall is one of the highest-paid players in the NBA and is due about $40.8 million next season. If he can't regain his form, or something close to it, his salary will present a major roster-building obstacle moving forward.
"His speed, his quickness, his ability to explode is there," Brooks said. "That's always the thing that you're worried about, does he have that speed? He has it, I've seen it up close in practice last year."
That may get Wizards fans excited for the upcoming season, and even the preseason which begins on Dec. 13. Until Wall takes the floor again, we'll just have to take Brooks' word for it.
