John Wall: NBA Comeback 'Would Mean the World... I Want to Walk off the Court My Way'

John Wall is still targeting a return to the NBA, expressing his intention to retire from the sport voluntarily.

"It would mean the world," Wall said, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "You want to go out on your own terms. I want to finish it the way I want. If I play my last game, I want to walk off the court my way."

The five-time All-Star point guard last appeared in the association as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers in Jan. 2023.

He was sent from the Clippers to the Houston Rockets as part of a Feb. 2023 trade, but he never suited up with the Rockets and was ultimately waived by the organization shortly after the deal was completed.

During Wall's final season in Los Angeles, he averaged 11.4 points, 5.2 assists and 0.8 steals per game while shooting 40.8 percent from the field and 30.3 percent from three-point territory.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft was at his best during his days with the Washington Wizards, showcasing his athletic finishing ability around the rim as well as his impressive playmaking instincts.

From the start of the 2013-14 season through the end of his 2017-18 campaign, Wall averaged 19.9 points and 9.9 assists to go along with 1.8 steals per game on 43.6/34.0/78.7 shooting splits.

His career was derailed by lower-body injuries, undergoing season-ending heel surgery in Dec. 2018 before missing the ensuing year after suffering a torn Achilles due to a fall at his home.

While Wall averaged 20.6 points per game in his return during the 2020-21 season, he posted a mere 45.8 effective field-goal percentage and saw his defense noticeably decline.

At 34 years old, the point guard wouldn't be the oldest player in the league if he's able to return but it may be difficult for him to find an interested suitor after going unsigned through the entirety of the 2023-24 season.

Perhaps a contending team could show interest in Wall on a short-term deal following the Feb. 6 trade deadline.