Latest news with #Landale
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
NBA Trade Rumors: Boston Celtics might acquire $32 million Houston Rockets star to support Jayson Tatum and improve title odds
Jock Landale (Image via USA Today Sports) The Boston Celtics may soon add another big man to their roster, with newly available center Jock Landale emerging as a potential target. The Houston Rockets recently waived the 29-year-old Australian before his $8 million salary guarantee kicked in, making him an unrestricted free agent. With Boston's frontcourt depth shrinking rapidly this offseason, Landale could be a low-cost, reliable option to fill the void. Why the Boston Celtics Need Frontcourt Reinforcements Boston Celtics ' center rotation has taken multiple hits in recent weeks: - Kristaps Porzingis was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. - Luke Kornet signed a four-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs. - Al Horford is reportedly drawing interest from the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers. Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum (Image via Getty) That leaves the Boston Celtics with only three true centers under contract: 1. Neemias Queta 2. Xavier Tillman 3. Newly signed Luka Garza While Josh Minott adds depth, he doesn't provide the size Boston desperately needs. As MassLive's Brian Robb noted, "Boston's frontcourt is very undermanned right now," suggesting another veteran addition is likely. Jock Landale's Fit in Boston Jock Landale, a Saint Mary's product and Olympic bronze medalist, had a limited role in Houston last season but brings valuable experience. Here's a quick breakdown of his 2024-25 stats: Stat Average Points 4.8 Rebounds 3.3 Minutes 11.9 While not a star, Landale offers: - Size and physicality – At 6'11', he can provide much-needed rim presence. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo - Championship experience – Played a key role in Australia's Olympic run. - Affordability – Likely available at a minimum or low-cost deal. What's Next for the Boston Celtics? Boston currently has 15 players under contract, including non-guaranteed deals, leaving some flexibility. If Horford departs, expect Brad Stevens to act quickly. Landale isn't a game-changer, but he's a steady, low-risk option for a team in need of frontcourt stability. With few proven centers left in free agency, this move could make sense for both sides. The Boston Celtics face a clear need for frontcourt depth, and Jock Landale presents a practical solution. While he won't single-handedly transform the roster, his size, experience, and affordability make him a logical target. With Horford's future uncertain and limited options available, Boston may not find a better low-cost backup. Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: Are the Los Angeles Lakers Trading LeBron James for Cooper Flagg? A Deep Dive Into the Latest Trade Rumors Involving the Mavs' Top Pick If signed, Jock Landale would compete for minutes behind Tillman and Queta while providing insurance against injuries. For a team with championship aspirations, even small upgrades matter. As free agency unfolds, expect Boston to weigh all options—but don't be surprised if Landale ends up in green. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
USA Today
02-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
With Clint Capela on board at center, Rockets reportedly set to waive Jock Landale
The Rockets need to get under the first apron and don't have roster room for a fourth veteran center, so it appears that Jock Landale will soon be waived. After signing veteran center Clint Capela to a role behind mainstays Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams, it seemed apparent that Jock Landale's time with the Houston Rockets was running out. We now appear to have confirmation of that plan, which will need to formally take place prior to Landale's July 7 contract guarantee date. From Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle: Houston's next move is to waive Landale, now superfluous given the team's center depth, and clear his $8 million salary from the books to get under the first apron. Landale, 29, averaged 4.8 points (52.2% FG) and 3.2 rebounds in 12.9 minutes over the past two seasons (2023-24 and 2024-25) in Houston. The Rockets recently became hard-capped at the first apron ($195.9 million in 2025-26 team salary) by using the non-taxpayer, mid-level exception to sign Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency. As for Landale, the Rockets initially signed the Australian big man in the 2023 offseason, and he was slotted at the time as the primary backup to Sengun. But Adams' 2024 arrival bumped Landale to third string last season, and now Houston has brought in Capela as an upgrade to that role. Capela is also cheaper on an annual basis (approximately $7 million per season) than Landale, who signed a four-year, $32-million deal in 2023. Each season was non-guaranteed, making the preceding summer the decision window for general manager Rafael Stone. In 2024, even with both Sengun and Adams, the Rockets saw enough of a potential need for a third-string center to bring Landale back. But in 2025, with the trio of Sengun, Adams, and Capela all in place, Landale's time has run out. Because the Rockets need to dip under the NBA's first-apron threshold, there isn't much of a reason to explore using Landale's salary as a matching piece in trades, since the Rockets probably wouldn't be able to fit in any incoming salary. And with Landale playing so infrequently last season and being nearly 30 years old, it's very unlikely that a team would trade a non-financial asset (i.e. future draft equity) to Houston for his services. Thus, waiving him appears inevitable. If Landale goes unclaimed on waivers via his current contract, he would then become an unrestricted free agent. More: Rockets, Jock Landale to delay 2025-26 contract deadline until July 7
USA Today
29-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Rockets, Jock Landale to delay 2025-26 contract deadline until July 7
To maximize options for both sides, the Rockets and Jock Landale agreed to push back the deadline date for a decision regarding his 2025-26 contract. This gives the Rockets more options with Landale and his contract, as they see how the start of free agency plays Landale, it was likely a decision to agree to be pushed back or to be waived today. Nothing really lost on his part. In a move designed to maximize options in the opening days of 2025 free agency, the Houston Rockets and veteran center Jock Landale mutually agreed to delay the guarantee date for his 2025-26 salary from June 29 until July 7. The decision was first reported by The Athletic's Fred Katz. Free agency negotiations can officially begin on Monday, June 30. After restructuring Fred VanVleet's deal to a lower annual rate, Houston is in line to potentially stay beneath the league's first apron and its luxury tax threshold. In turn, this could allow the Rockets to use the NBA's non-taxpayer, mid-level exception (NT-MLE) to sign a free agent for to $14.1 million in starting annual salary. Houston's recent decisions to re-sign a trio of veteran reserves (Aaron Holiday, Jae'Sean Tate, and Jeff Green) to reduced salaries suggests a disciplined fiscal approach to those final bench slots, with an eye on freeing up NT-MLE flexibility to pursue a rotation upgrade. For that financial plan to work, the Rockets likely need to either trade Landale or decline the $8-million salary under his previous contract. If the Rockets were to pick up Landale's contract at that figure, their collective team salary would likely reach a level that prevents NT-MLE access. Yet, Landale's non-guaranteed salary is also potentially useful as a matching piece in trades. So, by delaying the deadline, the Rockets keep that path open — should general manager Rafael Stone decide that a trade is more worthwhile than an outright NT-MLE signing. From Landale's perspective, since his 2025-26 salary would have to be guaranteed in order for that $8-million figure to count for trade purposes, he has a clear financial incentive to let things play out. Because Landale played only sparingly last season, he likely wouldn't be in line to make $8 million, annually, should he be sent into free agency. The Rockets initially signed Landale in the 2023 offseason, and he was slotted at the time as the primary backup at center to Alperen Sengun. But the arrival of Steven Adams bumped Landale to third string in 2024-25, and in 2025-26, Adams will be two years removed from his previous knee surgery and without any medical restrictions or limitations. Last season, Adams' maintenance absences gave Landale more opportunities than a third-string center would normally receive. With Adams now fully cleared, $8 million is an excessive figure for a third-string center that won't regularly feature in Houston's playing rotation. So, Stone and head coach Ime Udoka will likely attempt to use that salary slot more efficiently next season, be it with a trade or by gaining full access the NT-MLE to backfill a rotation role that had belonged to Dillon Brooks (before the large consolidation trade sending Brooks, Jalen Green, and draft assets to Phoenix for All-Star forward Kevin Durant). Landale, 29, averaged 4.8 points (52.2% FG) and 3.2 rebounds in 12.9 minutes over the past two seasons (2023-24 and 2024-25) with the Rockets. Should Houston ultimately waive Landale, it's possible that the Rockets could attempt to re-sign him (similar to Holiday, Tate, and Jeff Green) at a lower price point. However, if playing for near the minimum salary, the Australian big man might prefer to go to a team where he has a more clear path to playing time. More: Despite losing minutes, Jock Landale understands why Rockets prioritized Steven Adams By my (and Yossi's) calculations, if the Rockets waive Landale, decline Holiday's option & sign vet min deals for spots 11-13, they could use about $9-10M of the NT-MLE and still duck the tax in 2025-26. The Houston Rockets are now below the first apron and in position to avoid the luxury tax with Fred VanVleet re-signing for $25 million open up the $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level, can increase payroll in trades, and can sign and trade for free agents.
USA Today
31-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Despite losing minutes, Jock Landale understands why Rockets prioritized Steven Adams
Despite losing minutes, Jock Landale understands why Rockets prioritized Steven Adams Jock Landale on losing minutes to Steven Adams: 'It was good for the team. You've got to tuck your tail between your legs every now and again, and I'm happy to do so.' After signing with the Rockets in the 2023 NBA offseason, Jock Landale finished the 2023-24 season as Houston's primary backup at center and posted quality metrics in the process. But in 2024-25, the 29-year-old Australian was largely the third-string center behind incumbent starter Alperen Sengun and veteran backup Steven Adams. It was a bitter pill to swallow for Landale, especially when Adams struggled at times in the regular season amid his return from knee surgery. But when Adams improved late in the season and became arguably Houston's most impactful player in the 2025 playoffs, the preferential treatment made sense. In an episode of the Tommy Talks podcast on the Ausmerican Aces YouTube channel, Landale explained his thought process: So much of the (regular) season is allowing guys to grow back into their roles. Unless you're in that top four or five (players), it's very interchangeable, because all the players on your roster are usually elite. There's so much politics involved and so much analytics these days, and they try things. The whole process is just to figure out what's going to be the best during the playoffs. With Steve coming back from a major injury this year, the general consensus among the team was let's give him time to get himself right, and see if we can get him back to being who Steven Adams is. To his credit, he put in a lot of work. This guy is wild with how much he works. Then you see that come together in the playoffs and him playing as well as he did. In my case, I like to think I'm a humble guy, being an Australian. I'll give credit where credit's due. There were times through the year where it was hard and frustrating, and I thought perhaps I was the better option, at times. But when you really sit back and you look at the playoffs, you're like 'Alright, it made sense.' It was good for the boys, good for the team. You've got to tuck your tail between your legs every now and again, and I'm happy to do so. Depending on what happens with Adams in unrestricted free agency this offseason, it's possible that Landale could have a larger role in 2025-26. The Rockets have two more non-guaranteed years (at $8 million annually) on Landale's contract, which will become guaranteed if he is not waived by June 29. In two seasons (98 games) with the Rockets, Landale has averaged 4.8 points (52.2% FG) and 3.2 rebounds in 12.9 minutes per game. The 6-foot-11 big man remains an effective backup with reliable defense and a physical presence, when given the opportunity to play. 'I've built myself into where I feel as though I'm good enough to be a backup center in the NBA, and I know that I am,' Landale said. 'But it was just the reality of our team. The third string was a tough pill to swallow, but I had to. It took me a little while, but around November or December, I was like, 'I get it.' Then you just accept it, and life becomes a hell of a lot easier. We'e in very privileged positions just existing inside of the NBA, and once you realize that that's how good life is, this huge weight comes off your shoulders.' 'That's not to say that I don't have bad days, and I don't go in there pissed off about the fact that I'm not playing,' Landale added. 'I'm human. But if I can sit down with the (coaching) staff before the season and they explain what the role looks like, then it's on me to just accept that. The message was pretty loud and clear.' More: Jock Landale on rising Rockets star Amen Thompson: 'Future of the program'
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jock Landale on rising Rockets star Amen Thompson: ‘Future of the program'
Jock Landale on rising Rockets star Amen Thompson: 'Future of the program' 'He has all the makings to be a superstar in this league for a very long time,' Jock Landale says of his 22-year-old Rockets teammate Amen Thompson. In a recent podcast appearance, veteran center Jock Landale shared kind words for Dillon Brooks, his teammate with the 2023-24 and 2024-25 Houston Rockets. 'He had a career year this year that nobody talks about, because we had so much other stuff going on, positively,' Landale said on the Ausmerican Aces NBA Show. Among that 'other stuff' was Houston's elite defense, which ranked among the NBA's top five all season. That helped launch the Rockets from a 41-41 finish in 2023-24 (No. 11 in the Western Conference) to a 52-30 record in 2024-25 (No. 2 in the West). Brooks had a role in that defensive success, but the most important piece was second-year guard/forward Amen Thompson, who was recently named to the NBA's All-Defensive First Team. Regarding Thompson, Landale said on the same podcast: Amen Thompson is one of a kind, mate. That dude is a freak of nature, and you guys haven't seen anything yet. I never give him praise to his face, cause we've got that kind of a relationship, but behind his back… I'm like, 'This dude is unbelievable. He just moves at a pace and does things you just can't teach. And on top of that, he's just a sponge, he soaks everything up. He's a complete gym rat. You've seen the Tyler Herro thing, we've seen that multiple times through the years, and in practice. He has like this light switch. He walks on the court, and it's like, bang. He's a psycho. He has all the makings to be a superstar in this league for a very long time. In an extended conversation on the same YouTube channel (via a Tommy Talks episode), Landale elaborated on what he sees in Thompson: In 37 games since taking over a full-time starting position in January, Thompson averaged 15.9 points (55.7% FG), 9.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks in 36.1 minutes per game. He technically replaced Smith at power forward, though Thompson had the defensive versatility to guard virtually any position, including the majority of possessions versus superstar Warriors guard Steph Curry in the playoffs (when Houston lost a hard-fought, seven-game series to Golden State). As for Landale, the Australian big man has two years remaining on his contract with the Rockets at $8 million annually, though both are non-guaranteed. His 2025-26 deal will become guaranteed if he is not waived by June 29. Beyond providing quality depth, the 29-year-old is also very well regarded as a teammate in Houston's locker room, as shown via these types of conversations. Landale was replaced by Steven Adams as Houston's primary backup at center in the 2024-25 season. However, with Adams as an unrestricted free agent in the 2025 offseason, it's at least plausible that Landale could regain that role in 2025-26 behind incumbent starter Alperen Sengun. More: Jock Landale on Dillon Brooks' impact in Houston: 'One of the best teammates I've ever had'
