John Wall plans to work out with Gary Payton this offseason. "With John Wall I think he understood that he has to get better and he has to go work out and he has to go improve on those things," Payton said. "I think if he knows he's not good at something, he'll go workout at it." Wall made a big leap last year after the break and his defense wasn't a glaring issue. A popular concern with Wall is his jumper, but he turned the corner last year, shooting 38.6 percent on his jumpers, which is up quite a bit from his 30.4 percent from back in 2011-12. He's in the discussion as a pick at the end of first rounds of fantasy drafts.

John Wall said all of his personal goals are on the backburner with the playoffs being his primary focus. Wall and Wizards brass officially announced his max extension Thursday, during which owner Ted Leonsis and coach Randy Wittman took turns praising Wall. Leonsis said Wall has "more upside than any of the point guards out there" and Wittman called him a second coach on the floor. One thing is clear, there will be even larger expectations heaped on the young point guard after this contract. It'll be interesting to see how he responds.

Wizards owner Ted Leonsis said that John Wall is the cornerstone of the Wizards the team will build around him. "He is the cornerstone of our team," Leonsis said. "And we have clearly expressed our desire to build around him." It's what Leonsis is supposed to say about his star point guard after giving him $80 million over five years. Wall was absolutely on fire in the second half, scoring 20.7 points with 4.5 boards, 7.8 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.8 blocks and 0.4 triples on 44.7 percent shooting. His jumper needs work, but the 22-year-old guard could be in for a stellar fourth season in the NBA.

John Wall officially signed his maximum five-year, $80 million contract extension Wednesday afternoon, a source tells Michael Lee of the Washington Post. The sides are expected to announce the deal at a Thursday news conference, which has been scheduled since last week. Wall struggled through injuries in 2012-13, but was a beast after the All-Star break. Wall averaged 20.7 points, 4.5 boards, 7.8 assists and 1.5 steals in 31 game post-break games and looked like the star everyone expected when he was taken with the No. 1 overall pick. Between Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter, it should be fun to watch the Wizards this season.

The Wizards and John Wall are on pace to announce his maximum five-year, $80 million extension on August 1. A press conference has been scheduled since last week. The Wizards are betting that Wall's injury-plagued 2012-13 season was a fluke. He missed 33 games but lit up opponents after the All-Star break, averaging 20.7 points, 4.5 boards, 7.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game. With Bradley Beal and Otto Porter running alongside Wall this year, the Wizards will be a fun team to watch scrap for a playoff spot.

John Wall said that he feels "more confident than [he's] ever been." Wall is completely healthy and he's coming off a torrid finish to the 2012-13 season, including averages of 23.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks per game in April. He's also negotiating a contract extension which could be a maximum five-year, $80 million deal, and all signs point to a big season for the Wizards' franchise PG.

ESPN's Marc Stein is reporting that John Wall and the Wizards are working on a five-year, $80 million deal that should be finalized some time on, or around, Aug. 1. The Wizards are ready to pay and keep Wall for the long haul, and the rest should just be a formality. Wall should be fully primed for a breakout season after a big second half last year, and should be one of the best fantasy point guards in the league.

John Wall says he expects further contract talks with the Wizards after the Team USA camp ends Thursday. CSN Washington reported a couple weeks ago that Wall's agent had started talks with the team. Wall said he "didn't know" if that was true. "I haven't even talked to (the Wizards) about it. We'll figure it out when I'm done with this," Wall said. " . I feel like my organization and fron- office people do a great job, my agent [does] a great job of handling that. My main thing is just to enjoy myself while I'm here at the USA minicamp."

The Wizards have begun talking with John Wall's agent about an extension before the regular season. He'll be a restricted free agent after this upcoming season and it's not a stretch to think Wall will be flirting with max money. Wall was outstanding down the stretch last year, averaging 20.7 points, 4.5 boards, 7.8 assists and 1.5 steals after the All-Star Break. He's shaping up to be a second-round pick in standard drafts.

John Wall said he's focusing on strengthening his thigh and leg areas this summer. Wall is very aware that having knee tendonitis at the tender age of 22 is not a good sign. "I just want to make sure my quads are strong, my hamstrings are strong, and all the joints and ligaments around my knee are fully healthy. I've had check-ups and they're doing great," he said. If healthy, Wall will be a difference-maker in points, assists and steals. If he can improve on his jumper, he'll be a fantasy monster.