Definition of a max player is still something that is a bit fluid.
There are your sure-fire max guys — the superstars that undoubtedly are being unpaid by a max contract. There are your borderline guys, but still solid All Stars.
And then there are the fringe guys. Players with tons of potential and ability, but maybe not the track record to get a max contract. Certainly Josh Smith's insistence that he is a max player had Atlanta shopping him around and Brandon Jennings seems to think the same thing. Additionally, Brook Lopez received a max contract this past summer, re-defining who was a "max player."
If Lopez fits that bill, John Wall certainly seems to as well. And it appears the Wizards are prepared to make their young point guard that kind of an offer.
J. Michael of CSN Washington reports that the Wizards are preparing to make Wall an offer for a max contract as his rookie contract is set to expire after next season. A max extension for a former No. 1 overall pick after the expiration of his rookie contract is pretty commonplace and a no-brainer for a player of Wall's capabilities.
Wall has career averages of 16.3 points and 8.1 assists per game entering Monday's game. His career PER is 17.2. His numbers are in line with his career averages this year, but he has a career-best 19.2 PER this year (entering Monday's game) as his team is winning more since his return from injury and he is becoming a more efficient player.
If they believe I’m their franchise guy, that I’m the max player that I feel that I am, they’ll do what’s best for them. I feel like they believe in me. My coaches and my organization believe in me. The owner (Ted Leonsis) and GM (Ernie Grunfeld) believe in me. … They like what I've been doing lately.
It certainly seems like a sure thing that Wall will get his max extension and might even get the designated player designation so he could receive a five-year deal rather than a four-year deal. That investment would seem worth it in the former No. 1 pick.
Washington has built its team around Wall. After the youth movement failed with the attitude problems from JaVale McGee, Nick Young and Andray Blatche (again, perhaps not entirely their fault considering the success they have had on their own, it was just a bad environment in Washington for them to grow), Washington felt it had a Playoff-caliber team after adding Trevor Ariza, Emeka Okafor and Nene. Throw in first round pick Bradley Beal, and the Wizards thought they would be pretty good.
Wall missed the first two months of the season, not making his debut until Jan. 12. Since then though, the Wizards have gone 20-16. The team's offensive rating in that time has been 101.5 and the team is averaging 96.3 points per game. Defensively, the team is posting a defensive rating of 98.2 in that time. Washington's season averages are 97.5 offensive rating and a 100.0 defensive rating.
The turnaround from Washington has been impressive. The Wizards are indeed playing like a Playoff team right now. Wall's return has been a big part of that. It would make sense to give him the contract he deserves. It is just too bad for that Washington organization that his team dug such a deep hole while he was out.
If Wall continues to improve his jumper, there are few point guards that are as good with a full head of steam than Wall. Now it is time to get paid like one of the best point guards in the league.
