Washington Wizards legend John Wall hasn’t played a game since Jan. 13, 2023. In that contest, the five-time All-Star tallied 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and one steal in 29 minutes as his Los Angeles Clippers dueled with the Denver Nuggets. That night, the former No. 1 pick wasn’t behaving like it was the last time he would suit up in the NBA. Much to the contrary, he was turning back the hands of time; palms had grown hard and rough.
As it turns out, Wall’s rebirth was short-lived.
Wizards Legend John Wall Officially Announces Retirement
Ahead of the 2022-23 trade deadline, the Clippers shipped an injured Wall to the Houston Rockets, who promptly waived him. That summer, he attempted to make a comeback, working out for a short list of teams that included the Boston Celtics. In November, he was still holding out hope that he could end his career on his own terms. In fact, he even worked out during the G League Winter Showcase.
He was particularly interested in joining the Miami Heat, who needed a floor general.
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Even with his connection to Heat lifer Udonis Haslem, he went unsigned in 2023-24. This marked the third season that Wall didn’t play but the first season in which the reason was his contract status. In Dec. 2024, the Associated Press would quote Wall as saying “he would give anything for one more chance in the NBA.” A month later, he told The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis that he was still waiting on a call but that “he would be cool giving it up” due to enjoyment he had been finding in experiences.
Following the season, NBA fans showered him with praise after NBA on ESPN (on Instagram) posted a SportsCenter tweet saying: “We need John Wall back.”
Retired but never done. Doing it the #WallWay pic.twitter.com/s1pX9afHfL
— John Wall (@JohnWall) August 19, 2025
On Tuesday, the former No. 1 pick took to social media to reveal that he would be retiring from the NBA.
One of our franchise all-time greats.
The definition of an era.
A lasting legacy.
A forever Wizard.Congratulations on your retirement, @JohnWall
pic.twitter.com/cdIqIw0WpT
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) August 19, 2025
In honor of John Wall retiring, take a minute to sit back and watch 2016-17 John Wall frying the league.
Kids today really don’t know how good John Wall was.
(H/T @UsherNBA)
pic.twitter.com/WDuEvsB5Op https://t.co/PwwXwZoLU5
— Playoff Sports (@PlayoffSports_) August 19, 2025
The news was met with myriad reactions, many fans expressing gratitude for his impact as a player. Wall was a walking, nay sprinting, double-double. His nickname (“Optimus Dime”) is a nod to Transformers but he was really Superman. He was faster than a speeding bullet and was such a tremendous passer that he seemed to have x-ray vision.
Unfortunately, even superheroes have to hang up their cape one day.
© Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
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