Jock Landale is staying with the Atlanta Hawks after a career-best season raised his value around the league. The free agent center intends to sign a one-year, $14 million contract to return to Atlanta, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The agreement comes after the veteran big man drew interest from multiple teams, including the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
The 30-year-old center entered free agency after playing on a one-year, $2.3 million contract but established himself as one of the most valuable reserve big men available. His combination of interior toughness and three-point shooting helped him secure a significant raise.
Landale averaged career highs of 10.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game during the 2025-26 season while shooting 51.5% from the field and 38.3% from three-point range. He appeared in 68 games, started 27 and played 22.1 minutes per night, finishing with a 58.2 effective field goal percentage.
The Australian started the season with the Memphis Grizzlies before being traded to Atlanta. In 45 games with Memphis, Landale averaged 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds in 23.6 minutes while making 38.0% of his three-point attempts. After joining the Hawks, he remained productive, posting 9.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 19.4 minutes per game while improving to 39.1% from deep.
Landale’s ability to space the floor has become his defining skill. He attempted 2.8 three-pointers per game with both teams, giving Atlanta another frontcourt option who can pull opposing centers away from the paint.
The Hawks’ decision to retain him comes after a 46-36 season in which they won the Southeast Division and reached the playoffs. Atlanta fell in the first round to the eventual champion New York Knicks, but Landale provided important depth behind starting center Onyeka Okongwu.
Okongwu averaged 15.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and shot 37.6% from three during his breakout season, making Atlanta’s center rotation one of its strengths. Landale’s ability to play alongside or behind Okongwu gave the Hawks flexibility throughout the season.
Although Landale has never averaged more than 22.1 minutes per game in a season, his offensive growth has changed his profile. Across five NBA seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, Grizzlies and Hawks, he has averaged 6.6 points and 3.9 rebounds while steadily expanding his perimeter game.
