Wizards’ Pay-Wall

Wizz-Kid: Wall commits his future to Washington

John Wall has signed a contract extension with the Washington Wizards worth a reported $80 million over 5 years to cement his status as the franchise player in DC.

The #1 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft has been described as the ‘cornerstone’ of the team by Wizards’ owner Ted Leonsis as they look to build their team around their 22 year-old star.

Wall is yet to play in more than 70 games in a season after last season’s campaign was hampered by a knee injury which forced him to miss the first 33 games of the season.

Jennings to join J-Smoove in Detroit

Young Buck: Jennings leaving Milwaukee for Detroit (Getty Images)

Brandon Jennings is set to become Detroit’s second high-profile signing of the off season after the Pistons were able to strike a trade deal with Milwaukee.

The 23 year-old will join Josh Smith a.k.a J-Smoove in the Motor City this season with both players leaving play-off teams to make the switch to the 2004 Champions, Detroit.

As part of the reported deal, Milwaukee will receive Brandon Knight and two other players after finally conceding defeat in their attempts to re-sign their star man.

Pacers pick up Scola in Phoenix trade

Argy bargy: Scola ready to fight for Indiana

Indiana Pacers have added Luis Scola to their roster after sending Gerald Green, Miles Plumlee and a future first round draft pick to the Phoenix Suns.

The Argentine leaves Phoenix after just a single season where he averaged 12.8 points per game along with 6.6 rebounds starting 67 of their 82 games and is relishing a new challenge.

To the Pacers fans, thank you guys for welcome me, I really wish I can help the team get farder. I won’t stop working until I do. #Pacers

— Luis Scola (@LScola4) July 27, 2013

Talking Point: What next for the Lakers?

Time to ponder: Tough times ahead for Mike D’Antoni?

No longer the best team in Los Angeles and no longer genuine Championship contenders.

Last season was far from satisfactory for the Lakers. Losing to their main rivals in February as the Clippers clinched their first ever Division title before being carried into the play-offs by Kobe Bryant only to lose their superstar to injury prior to a 4-0 first round defeat at the hands of San Antonio.

Dwight Howard was pleaded to stay but opted to join the Houston Rockets in search for a first ring before the Lakers decided to activate Metta World Peace’s amensty clause and release a key member of their 2010 winning roster. So who do they bring in?

Chris Kaman, Nick Young, Wes Johnson and the returning Jordan Farmar are the four players recruited by G.M Mitch Kupchak so far. Not exactly the caliber of players expected at a 17-time Championship winning franchise which speaks volume of the state of the Lakers especially given the fact that one of those joined the Purple & Gold of LA because of ‘no other options’.

Knicks bring World Peace to New York

World Peace hits the Knicks

Metta World Peace confirmed yesterday that he has agreed a deal to  join the New York Knicks.

Speaking on TV, World Peace said: “The team is amazing, the players, I’m excited to play and hussle.”

The 33 year-old forward spent four seasons in L.A but found himself released by the Lakers last week after they decided to activate his amnesty clause.

World Peace will be the second major addition to Mike Woodson‘s side after the Knicks picked up Andrea Bargnani in a trade with Toronto which sent Steve Novak, Marcus Camby, Queintin Richardson and a selection of future draft picks the other way.