Jock Landale poised for biggest NBA payday yet

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• 'Jockeying greatness': Landale's historic season

Australian Boomers centre Jock Landale's phone will be running hot on at 8am on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 (AEST) when NBA free agency opens.

The 31-year-old Melbourne-born Olympic Games bronze medallist proved he was more than just an NBA back-up centre last season and will more than likely command more than a minimum contract in 2026-27. He's potentially looking at USD $10-14M per season, which would be his largest per season deal in his career.

If Landale signs with another team in free agency, it will be his 10th city in 10 years.

"You just roll with the punches in the NBA," Landale told Dyl & Friends.

"Nine cities in nine years now. I feel like I've mastered the ability to compartmentalise. Luc Longley was a mentor of mine and used to say 'be amphoteric' – so kind of like moving like water as best you can.

"I was in Memphis, then I go through this crazy trade scenario, end up in Utah, then Atlanta, stay in Atlanta, live in a hotel and ship the family back to Australia."

Landale also revealed it was Philadelphia 76ers MVP Joel Embiid that delivered his welcome to the NBA moment.

"He gave me my first real welcome-to-the-NBA moment," Landale said.

"He scored about 10 straight points. Then I got pulled from the game.

"We had a defensive coverage that basically stops everyone. This dude just went straight through my chest and dunked on me.

"I was like, 'OK... I can't do anything'.

"He was definitely the guy who gave me my welcome-to-the-NBA moment."

The outstanding part of Landale's 2025-26 campaign is that it wasn't built on a guaranteed opportunity. After establishing himself as Memphis' starting centre when Zach Edey went down with injury, he averaged career highs across the board. But he was traded to the Utah Jazz at the deadline in a salary-driven move before being waived without playing a game.

Within days, Dyson Daniels' Atlanta Hawks signed him for their playoff push – driving overnight to get to Georgia

For the Hawks, Landale averaged 9.1 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 39.1% from three across 23 regular-season games before an ankle injury ended his season ahead of the playoffs.

Rather than hurting his value, the whirlwind finish reinforced it.

Jock Landale's biggest selling point in 2026-27

Veteran bigman who averaged:

• 22.1 minutes
• 10.6 points
• 5.7 rebounds
• 1.7 assists
• 51.5% FG
• 38.3% from three

Those numbers aren't lower tier back-up, they are of a rotational big with the ability to knock down the three-ball at an elite clip.

How much could Jock Landale command in free agency

• Veteran minimum – Low
• 2 years, US$10-14 million – Most likely
• 2 years, US$14-18 million – Possible if multiple teams bid
• 3 years, US$18-24 million – Outside chance

Best basketball fits

Based on roster need rather than cap space:

1. New Orleans Pelicans – Clear path to significant minutes and potentially the starting job.
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Need an experienced centre who can screen and stretch the floor for Luka Doncic.
3. Sacramento Kings – Reliable backup behind Domantas Sabonis.
4. Golden State Warriors – Steve Kerr values high-IQ, passing and floor-spacing bigs and has experience with smart Australian centres.
5. Phoenix Suns – Familiar environment where he previously thrived.
6. Denver Nuggets – A capable backup for Nikola Jokić who can keep the offence flowing.
7. Atlanta Hawks – A return remains possible, but only if the contract fits their budget and roster plans.

Jock Landale's Career Earnings

Landale has earned US$21.05 million (AUD $30.5M) across his first five NBA seasons, highlighted by the four-year, US$32 million contract he signed with the Houston Rockets in 2023. While that deal was cut short after two seasons, it delivered more than US$16 million in salary before he was waived. After signing a one-year veteran minimum contract with the Memphis Grizzlies for the 2025-26 season, Landale joined the Atlanta Hawks on a minimum deal for the remainder of 2026-27.

Jock Landale's NBA Career Numbers

Landale also explained how his trade from Memphis to Utah and then to Atlanta went down mid-season.

"That's what everyone was telling me," Landale said of his move to the Jazz.

"I called my agents and said, 'Are you sure?'

They said, 'Yeah, it's all good. They love you. They want you.'

I was sitting on the plane thinking, 'Alright, I guess I'm going.';

I rang my agent again and said, 'Can you just double-check for me?. He said, 'Yeah, I'll double-check'.

The funny part was he was actually sitting on the tarmac in Atlanta waiting to fly to Utah himself. As the plane was literally about to take off, he called me and said: 'Hey bro, get off that f*ing plane right now. You're not going to Utah."

The pilots were basically closing the door. I said, ''m getting off. I need my bags. I'm out of here'.

"I didn't even know where I was going at that point. I got off the plane, grabbed my stuff and sat in the lounge for about 20 minutes while the trade was finalised.

"Then I got a call from the Utah front office. They were awesome about it. They said: 'Glad you got off the plane. You've been great to deal with. We're sending you to Atlanta'.

Then Atlanta called.

They said, 'We play Utah tomorrow. Do you want to play?'

I said: 'You bet your ass I do'.

'I went home and spent a couple of hours with my family. We revisited the plan. We decided they'd head back to Australia from Memphis and I'd see them again after the season. Atlanta wanted to fly me in the following morning and have me play that night.

"I said, 'I don't want to do that. That's too much in one day'. I'd rather get there, have a good night's sleep and then play. My nanny and my wife said, 'Why don't you just drive?' It was about six-and-a-half hours.

"Growing up, driving four-and-a-half hours to the family farm didn't seem like much to me. So I threw my bags in the car, left around 5pm and got to Atlanta around midnight.

"The next morning I got up around 8am, did a walkthrough, got on court, learned as much of the system as I could and then just played on instinct.

"As an athlete, that's probably the best place you can be.

"We won. It was a good night."