Fresh start and starter role for Jock Landale

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Australian Jock Landale will start for the Memphis Grizzlies on NBA 2025-26 opening day and he's ready.

"It’s the opportunity you play for, and I feel like I’ve been ready for it my whole NBA career," Landale said during the Memphis Grizzlies Media Day today.

"I had it in Phoenix in the playoffs, starting against Denver. I know what I’m good at, I know what this team needs from me.

"I don’t have to do anything out of the ordinary.

"My job is to make everyone’s life easier — set big screens for Ja (Morant), get him loose, play with effort and energy.

"That’s my box. Your guys’ motto is grit and grind, and that really fits my play style and the culture I’ve been raised around.

"Honestly feels like a match made in heaven.

"I’ve watched Coach Thomas in Europe, played with guys who’ve played under him, so I feel like I know what he’s about.

"I’ve been waiting for this opportunity and I’m excited to make the most of it.”

Landale, 29, signed with the Grizzlies in the off-season after being waived by the Houston Rockets. Memphis' frontline has been decimated by injury with starting centre Zach Edey out with an ankle injury to at least November 1, 2025, fellow centre Brandon Clarke out with a knee injury to at least November 7 and and star Jaren Jackson Jr expected to missed the start of the season.

Landale is preparing for his fifth season in the league. He's played 221 games for the San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets. He came into the league on the back of a championship with Melbourne United and a Finals MVP in 2021.

“In those situations, there’s an expectation you’re gonna put the ball in the hole a lot. Quickest way to win games.

"In the NBA, my job is to help other guys do that easier.

"Screening is something I pride myself on, especially with someone like Ja who excels in ball screen situations.

"Playing out of the short roll is something I can do too.I’m not out there breaking guys down off the dribble.

"It’s effort, every single night. That’s hard but simple — look yourself in the mirror, ask ‘am I gonna bring it tonight?’

"If the answer is yes, then the job’s already done. I’m not trying to be fancy, just team-first, making sure we’re in the best place to win.”

Landale spent his time primarily buried on the bench at the Rockets behind New Zealand big man Steven Adams but now he has an opportunity to play bigger minutes. He said he was already settling into life in Tennessee.

"Been here for like two weeks now," Landale said.

"Initially I was only gonna come in on the 23rd, but coach hit me up and said they wanted me earlier to start figuring stuff out with the boys.

"So I came in a week earlier and I’m glad I did. Lot more boxes to unpack than I thought.‍‍

“I love it here. Germantown is incredible, great place to live. With the team — it’s intense.

"This is a group that has aspirations to do big things. That’s always a big check when you come into an organisation.

"There are expectations, but also a family feel. They’ve reached out to my wife, checked if she needed anything.

"That kind of stuff makes the transition seamless. Honestly, this is probably the best organisation I’ve played for in terms of how they handle things.”

He said the basketball transition has also been seamless.

“Awesome," he declared.

"You look around the locker room — so many guys have been here six, seven, eight years.

"That continuity is rare these days. You feel the vibe is really good. These guys have relationships that carry over, expectations are set.

"You come in, get on or get off, and that’s it. It’s a good group of guys with a really good thing going, and hopefully I can add to that.”

In 221 career NBA games, Landale has averaged 5.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and one assist. He has a field goal percentage of 51.8.