Wizards' John Wall: 'I'm getting the same (money) as Reggie Jackson'
John Wall and Reggie Jackson get the same money, and Wall has taken notice.
By
Zach Harper
•
2 min read
The money jump in the NBA with the rising salary cap and the influx of new television dollars is going to make it tough to get used to some of the new contracts being given out. We've seen well over a billion dollars spent this summer in free agency, and we haven't even reached the big jump in the salary cap. In 2016, we're going to see it rise by roughly $20 million, and with many max deals based off a percentage of the salary cap, we're going to see massive deals next summer that trump this summer.
They're also going to make deals -- even max deals -- from years ago look laughable in comparison. For example, look at the $80 million contract the Detroit Pistons just gave Reggie Jackson. Compare it to the max extension Washington Wizards star John Wall received a couple years ago. Wall certainly is comparing the two deals with some bewilderment. From CSN Washington:
Two years ago, John Wall's max contract extension for five years and $80 million went under heavy scrutiny. Now, getting the two-time All-Star who has led the Wizards to the Eastern Conference semifinals twice since then, looks like a bargain.
"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 Tuesday while watching his summer league team compete vs. the Dallas Mavericks at Thomas & Mack Center. "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."
It's kind of funny because while it's the same money, it's not the same deal. Jackson's money has levels of inflation included because of the rise in cap. Wall's deal was based on the max percentage of a much lower salary cap, and when he becomes a free agent in 2019, he'll be eligible for a massive new max deal. Considering he'll only be 28 years old then, and the salary cap could be $30 million higher than it is now, he'll make up quite a bit of difference in the money between him and other point guards right now.
However, these things happen. After all, Stephen Curry made roughly $800,000 less than DeAndre Jordan did this year. Jordan got his big pay day this summer. Curry has to wait until 2017 before he can get paid a much higher market value, which he's earned after an MVP award and a championship.
