It's been two years since Jock Landale signed a four-year deal with the Rockets in free agency after spending the 2022-23 season with the Phoenix Suns. His time in Houston could soon come to an end, as his $8 million salary for 2025-26 will become guaranteed if he isn't waived by June 29.
Landale averaged 4.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game in his first season with the Rockets in 2023-24. He played 56 games (three starts) as Houston's primary backup center. His numbers dropped this past season, as he averaged 4.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game in 42 games (three starts). Landale was the third-string backup center behind Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams.
Adams was set to become an unrestricted free agent on June 30, but he signed a three-year, $39 million contract last week to remain with the Rockets, all but solidifying that Houston will waive Landale.
Rockets could waive Jock Landale before his salary becomes guaranteed
Landale had the best season of his short NBA career with Phoenix when he averaged a career-high 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game, shooting 52.8% from the field in 69 contests (four starts). He spent the previous season with the Spurs.
The Suns could've used Landale the past couple of seasons after losing him in free agency because of their need for another center, which they addressed on Wednesday when they acquired the draft rights to Khaman Maluach and traded for Mark Williams. Phoenix got the No. 10 pick in the Kevin Durant trade with Houston.
Landale might be looking for a new NBA home soon, but one thing is for sure: he won't be returning to the Suns. Phoenix went from having a center problem to having too many bigs, meaning a Nick Richards trade could be coming soon.