Jock Landale Trending: How the Australian Center’s Stellar Form Is Rewriting the Houston Rockets’ Season

Australian center Jock Landale is back on the NBA carousel, and his latest stop could shake up the Western Conference playoff race. Houston waives, Memphis pounces Late Thursday night the Houston Rockets elected to waive Landale two days before his $8 million 2025-26 salary became fully guaranteed, continuing a cap-clearing spree aimed at landing bigger fish. The transaction instantly made the 29-year-old unrestricted, and by Friday morning Shams Charania reported that the Memphis Grizzlies had reached agreement on a multi-year deal believed to be worth the bi-annual exception, roughly $9 million over two seasons. Why the Grizzlies moved quickly Memphis has been scouring the market for reliable size after injuries to Zach Edey (foot) and lingering knee management for All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. Landale gives coach Taylor Jenkins a 6-11 pick-and-pop option who owns career marks of 37 percent from three in corners and 64 percent at the rim. His 1.17 points per possession as a roll man last season quietly ranked in the league’s top quartile. Depth chart ripple effect • First unit: Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Brandon Clarke, Jackson Jr., Edey (once healthy) • Second unit: Marcus Smart, GG Jackson, Santi Aldama, Landale, Vince Williams Jr. Expect Landale to open camp as the primary backup five; the staff values his short-roll playmaking and experience defending Nikola Jokić in the 2023 West semis while with Phoenix. Boston, others had interest Before Memphis swooped, the Boston Celtics were rumored to be eyeing Landale as a low-cost insurance policy behind Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford. League sources also linked Miami and Golden State, but both clubs prioritized wings once the mid-level market thinned. Fit with Ja-centric offense Landale’s best NBA minutes have come beside downhill guards—think Chris Paul in Phoenix and Fred VanVleet in Houston. Playing pick-and-roll with Morant should unlock quick slips and baseline seals that punish drop coverage. He also adds a lob threat that Memphis lacked whenever Edey sat. Contract minutiae The Grizzlies will use the bi-annual exception; Landale cannot be aggregated in a trade until January 15 and carries a 15 percent trade kicker. Year 2 reportedly has a partial guarantee of $2 million, giving Memphis flexibility if its young bigs take a leap. What’s next Landale is expected in Las Vegas as an observer when Memphis tips off Summer League on July 12. Team officials hope he can ramp up with Australia’s national squad later this month before reporting to FedExForum in August for informal workouts. SEO takeaways Fans searching for “Jock Landale contract,” “Memphis Grizzlies sign Landale,” or “Landale Rockets waiver” will find the latest numbers, depth-chart projections, and analysis here. Bookmark for updates as medical evaluations finalize and preseason rotations crystallize.