Traded: Utah land Jock in eight-player blockbuster

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Australian Boomers and Memphis Grizzlies centre Jock Landale, in the midst of the best season of his NBA career, is part of an eight-player blockbuster trade that sends him along with star teammate Jaren Jackson Jr to the Utah Jazz, ESPN reports.

It signals the Memphis Grizzlies are in rebuild mode, acquiring three first round draft picks as part of the trade to get NBA All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year Jackson Jr. Landale's trade is the second Australian this trade window to go to a new team after injured Duop Reath joined Dyson Daniels in Atlanta.

Trade Breakdown

➡️ Utah Jazz receive:

• Jaren Jackson Jr. (from Memphis Grizzlies)
• John Konchar (from Memphis Grizzlies)
• Jock Landale (from Memphis Grizzlies)
• Vince Williams Jr. (from Memphis Grizzlies)

➡️ Memphis Grizzlies receive:

• Walter Clayton Jr.
• Kyle Anderson
• Taylor Hendricks
• Georges Niang
• Three first-round draft picks

basketball.com.au's Brayden Heslehurst wrote on January 16: From no role to the honour roll has been the story for Jock Landale this season.

While all the talk around Aussies in the NBA, and fair enough, has been about the star Boomers backcourt of Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels - there should be more talk surrounding the career-best form of Landale.

Everyone knows he's having a career-year since moving from the Houston Rockets to the Memphis Grizzlies, but are we underestimating just how good the 30-year-old no-nonsense big man is having?

The former St Mary's Gaels star is officially etching his name alongside the top Australian bigs to step on the floor in the NBA. Names including champion Andrew Bogut, three-time champion Luc Longley and another man with a title ring in Aron Baynes.

Going from playing in just 42 games last season with the Rockets and 'DNP Coaches Decision' a regular occurrence, Landale has already played in 37 games for the Grizzlies with many of those starting at the centre position due to persistent injury issues for teammate Zach Edey.

And Landale hasn't let anyone, and in particular, the Grizzlies front office down - becoming just the fourth Aussie big man (Ben Simmons not included) to average more than 11 points and five rebounds in a season. His season numbers of 11.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game put him in illustrious company as far as Aussie big men go.

In his fifth season in the league, the Melbourne product has found his calling, and it's come down to his fit with the 'grit and grind' Grizzlies as well as his persistence to battle through numerous tough situations throughout his career.

"They’re gritty. They compete. It fits my play style," Landale said on 'The Howie Games' podcast before season tip-off.

"There’s a new coach. It’s a young roster. There’s energy. I’m excited to be part of it.

"At this stage of my career, I’m comfortable with uncertainty. I’ve learned that nothing is guaranteed. You just control what you can control.

"(My advice you young athletes would be to) fall in love with the process, not the result. If you love what you do, the hard work doesn’t feel like work. I found what I loved at 15, and I chased it with conviction. Figure out what you love and go and do it."

Landale has built a steady NBA career as a rotation centre before breaking through with an expanded role in Memphis during the 2025–26 season.

After entering the league with San Antonio (2021–22), Landale established himself as a reliable interior finisher and screener, averaging 4.9 points and 2.6 rebounds in limited minutes. His efficiency inside (62.6% on twos) and free-throw reliability (82.9%) were early indicators of his offensive profile.

His role grew in Phoenix (2022–23), where he appeared in 69 games, posting 6.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in 14.2 minutes per game, while shooting 52.8% from the field. That season also included his most meaningful playoff exposure, contributing 6.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game across seven postseason appearances.

Landale spent two seasons in Houston (2023–24, 2024–25) in a reduced role, functioning largely as frontcourt depth. Across those two years, he averaged 4.8 points and 3.2 rebounds, with minutes fluctuating and usage declining as the Rockets prioritised younger bigs.

The defining jump came in Memphis (2025–26). Elevated into a starting role for much of the season, Landale logged 23.6 minutes per game, averaging 11.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 51.4% from the field and 38.0% from three. His rebounding, screening, and floor-spacing translated into career-best production and workload, marking the most impactful season of his NBA tenure.

Career Snapshot (Regular Season)

• Seasons: 5
• Games: 266
• Minutes: 14.6 mpg
• Points: 6.4 ppg
• Rebounds: 3.8 rpg
• FG%: 51.7
• 3PT%: 32.6
• FT%: 74.1