John Wall harbored revenge on the Wizards after feeling pushed out: "They thought I was done"

When John Wall faced his former team, the Washington Wizards, in late January 2021, it was more than just another game for him.

After a decade in the nation’s capital ended with a trade he clearly wasn’t on board with, Wall — then with the Houston Rockets — made it clear his motivation was fueled by personal, almost vendetta-like intensity.

“Who wouldn’t want to beat the team that traded them and felt like I was done?”remarked Wall, per NBC Washington.

Wizards trade reflection

Wall spent nine seasons in Washington, becoming a multiple-time All-Star and a mainstay in the Wizards’ offense alongside Bradley Beal. For better or worse, he was the face of the franchise for nearly a decade.

However, then injuries slowed him down, and an off-court misstep — an offseason party where he flashed gang signs — only added to the complications with the Wizards. Before long, the franchise decided to move on, sending Wall to the Rockets in exchange for Russell Westbrook.

A few months later, John looked back on the trade as a painful experience he hadn’t quite seen coming. It wasn’t, in his eyes, some snap decision — more like a quiet plan brewing behind Washington’s closed doors, with little clarity offered to him. The lack of transparency, Wall admitted, left him frustrated.

“When I heard the (trade) rumors, I called and asked, are these true or are these something not to worry about? From that day forward, all I heard was 'no, those rumors aren't true, don't worry about it.' In all reality, it was true," Wall reflected.

“Optimus Dime” also said he believed the trade happened because many people within the organization who had influence thought he probably wouldn’t be able to return to the player John once was.

Ever the competitor, Wall didn’t let that doubt drag him down. If anything, it only fueled his motivation to prove them wrong during his first game back against the Wizards at Toyota Center in Houston.

“They thought I was done… This is my opportunity to show them that I'm not,” said the former NBA point guard before the matchup.

Related: Dwyane Wade says the Steph Curry–Under Armour split shows how much the sneaker industry is struggling

Wall delivered

While Wall was clearly hell-bent on sending a message to the Wizards, he wasn’t about proving himself at all costs. For him, it wasn’t about putting up flashy numbers — it was about one thing: helping the Rockets secure the win.

“That's the most important thing because if I get 40 and then we lose, the trade don't look as bad from their aspect because they beat us that one game they did play us. So, my ultimate goal is to try to get a win for my team tomorrow,” explained “Optimus Dime” .

When the game finally tipped off, Wall turned his motivation into a strong performance, scoring 24 points and adding five assists in just 24 minutes of play. Meanwhile, the Rockets steadily pulled away and eventually blew out the Wizards 107-88, extending their win streak to three games.

It’s safe to say that on this night, Wall’s personal vendetta blended perfectly with professional execution. Whether you were rooting for Houston, Washington, or any other squad in the league, moments like these — full of raw emotion — remind you why the NBA is so irresistible.

Related: "Some people can drink all night and still give you 40" - John Wall opened up about NBA players who thrive despite partying habits

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Nov 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.