Lesane Crooks
Published Oct 15, 2023 • Last Updated: Oct 25, 2023
The Mamba Chronicles—The Los Angeles Mamba didn't waste anytime & offered a max level contract to young PF Derrick Wall who signed a $140M for 4 years to go to play w/ league MVP Hollywood Rob but really it was last season's #2 pick overall Reginald "Slim" Martin who recruited Wall hard to go to Tinseltown. The 24-year old, 5-year vet will look to help the Mamba's frontcourt who will have a significant overhaul from last season's team as veteran DJ Nurse has been renounced this offseason already leaving that starting PF position blank. Wall will be a player that the team will rely from day one at that position & his interior defensive ability will be crucial for what the Mamba wants to do moving forward.
A career 51.2% FG shooter and usually operates inside (66.7% FG inside the post last season), he will be tasked to be the man at the 4. The 6'10" bruiser also shows he can shoot from the outside shooting 41.5% from 3FG last season connected 168/405, that just gives the Mamba a different layer & option on their Pace & Space attack. The team hopes that he can be part of the "Big 3" that LA is trying to build for the future in Hollywood (Rob Scott) & Slim (Martin) hopefully. Although questions about his rebounding have been a concern his fit with the system is more than enough for the Mamba to go throw money at the young big who hopes to help the Mamba reach the post-season sooner rather than later.
"It was my main destination, Los Angeles. I think that w/ a reigning MVP there to help level my game up is something I'm really looking forward to. Slim (Martin) is a good friend of mine, he has been a driving force for me going there. So, it's fun to get to play w/ the kid as well & help his development too. I'm excited for Los Angeles," Wall said about his signing w/ the Mamba.
The Mamba has been quiet & was thought of looking to listen to offers for Hollywood Rob & even Slim for a minute but the front office pivots & just wants to build a team that can challenge for the playoffs next season, w/ a young core headed by literally a 20-year-old superstar & a 19-year-old budding star, the sky is the limit for the Purple & Gold squad. Some have said that the Mamba have overpaid for a player that hasn't averaged 7.5 rpg as a post player but the fact of the matter is that the Mamba have so much room on their cap that they can afford to do that.
"People will talk but we are looking at fit w/ what we have. Derrick (Wall) is just 24 years old and not even on his prime yet, he'll have a great cats here in LA, Hollywood (Scott) is a great leader for all of them, he will help him elevate his game, we are excited for the future of the Mamba," GM Jerron Grace said of the signing.