Wizards’ owner predicts that John Wall will sign $170-million designated player extension

John Wall has a massive $170 million designated player extension offer on the table from the Wizards, but has yet to commit to signing it. However, Wizards owner Ted Leonsis told reporters that despite Wall’s hesitation, he will ultimately choose to sign the offer.

The Wizards offered Wall the extension as soon as they were eligible to do so, but Wall said he would take his time to make a decision on any extension should it be offered.

Because Wall made third-team All-NBA this season, he is eligible to sign the extension. He averaged 23.1 points, 10.7 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game this season while leading Washington to its third playoff berth in four seasons.

Well, $170 million is a lot of money for anyone. Tack that onto what Wall will make on the two years remaining on his current contract, and he’ll have a six-year, $206 million deal in Washington.

That’d make Wall one of the highest paid players in the NBA, behind only James Harden and Stephen Curry. (Also, Russell Westbrook, if he ultimately signs his designated player extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder). That’s a hard deal to pass on considerating Wall’s had three knee surgeries in his career, including two last summer.

When talking to reporters in Las Vegas, Wall reiterated that he likes playing in D.C. and is still open to signing the extension.

“I’m just chilling. Just trying to figure out to negotiate it and manipulate it the way you want it to be. Everybody knows where I want to play and where I want to be. Everybody took it the wrong way with me saying I wanted to wait. It’s a big decision. I love D.C. I love playing for them every time I step on the court.”

“Whatever I do, I do it for the city of D.C. I do so much in the community. If it wasn’t for the love of that, I wouldn’t do it. It’s just about sitting back, weighing my options and knowing where I want to be for another 8 to 10 years. Basically for my whole career. That’s all I’m doing.”

So why hasn’t he signed yet? It’s smart for Wall to take his time and make sure the Wizards do productive things in the offseason, like make improvements to the bench and retain Otto Porter. He also made a last-ditch push to recruit Paul George in Washington, but that was always a long shot.

Ultimately, though, the Wizards’ inability to acquire another star to join Wall, Porter, and Bradley Beal shouldn’t any bearing on Wall’s decision. The Wizards had a solid team last year and should have a solid team this year in a weakened Eastern Conference.

Leonsis is probably right — the designated veteran player extension should do its job here. It’s difficult to see Wall passing up being paid handsomely to play in a place he loves to be.

Sure, $170 million is a lot of money to pass up. But it isn’t more than $220 million — and that’s what Wall could be giving up should he sign the extension now.

Wall could gamble on himself by passing on the deal this offseason and playing himself back on the All-NBA team next year. If he does that, he’ll be able to sign that same four-year extension, but will tack on an extra $50 million on the back end of the deal.

Yes, there is a risk — he could miss out on making the All-NBA team next year. But his top competition is Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Chris Paul. Those are all great guards that could beat Wall out for a third team slot, at least, but if Wall is able to improve upon his last season, he’ll be in great shape.

And if he isn’t? That’s fine. Then, he’ll have a reason to hit the open market as a free agent. If Washington isn’t as competitive as he’d like, he could find himself an offer somewhere else with more help. If they are, he can remain in D.C. through the prime of his career.

It isn’t a safe bet Wall will sign the extension at this point. Leonsis speaking so openly and confidently about it is dangerous. Wall has ample reason to sign the deal now, but he also has good reason to wait.

If Wall signs the extension, things are fine. If he doesn’t? Not so much. It will show how the organization and its best player are on different pages, and that’s not a good signal to send the rest of the league.

Maybe Leonsis knows something we don’t know. For Washington’s sake, he’d better.