John Wall on his contract: I'm getting paid the same as Reggie Jackson
Washington Wizards point guard John Wall noted the discrepancy in some of the contracts given to players this off-season from when he received his contract extension just two years ago.
Wall specifically compared his deal to that of Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson, who received a five-year, $80 million deal last week despite not achieving the accolades that Wall has in his first five seasons.
“People talk about me getting $80 million, now you got people getting $85 million that haven't made the All-Star (Game) or anything like that," Wall said to Comcast SportsNet Washington. "I guess they came in at the right time. That new CBA kicked in and they're good now. Reggie Jackson gets five years, $80 million. I'm getting the same as Reggie Jackson.”
Wall signed a five-year, $80 million contract extension in 2013 and was met with so much criticism, he keeps a list on his cell phone and updates it every time another person has something negative to say about him.
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Jackson, who has been backup for most of his career, took advantage of a rise in the salary cap, which rose from $63.1 million last season to a record $70 million for the 2015–2016 season.
"That's what happens," Wall said. "But I'm happy for all those guys. To see anybody get the opportunity to live their dream out, get the opportunity to take care of their family when they can, it's a blessing."
Jackson spent the first three plus seasons of his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder before he was traded to Detroit in February in a three-team deal that also saw the Thunder acquire center Enes Kanter from the Utah Jazz. Jackson averaged 14.5 points, six assists and 4.2 rebounds in 77 games last season.
The 24-year-old Wall was the No. 1 pick in the 2010 NBA draft and has been selected to each of the past two All-Star Games. He averaged 17.6 points and a career-high 10 assists per game in helping the Wizards to the postseason for the second straight year.
- Scooby Axson
