Jock Landale is officially back with the Atlanta Hawks for the 2026-27 NBA season, bringing his unique blend of floor-spacing and physicality to the backup center role. His return comes as the Hawks build chemistry in the preseason, most recently securing a 113-110 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 12.
Landale's impact was immediate after a chaotic mid-season trade last February. He famously had to get off a plane bound for Utah and drove over six hours to join Atlanta. In his debut, he scored 26 points with five three-pointers, 11 rebounds, and four blocks. He settled in to average 9.1 points on efficient shooting across 23 games, helping fuel a 20-6 run to end the regular season. His year ended early on April 1 after an ankle injury from a foul by Orlando's Goga Bitadze, sidelining him for the playoffs.
He spent the Australian offseason focused on recovery and conditioning. "I'm going on 31 in a couple of weeks, so I just decided it was time for me to trim up a little bit," Landale said at media day. The Hawks rewarded his fit with a one-year, $14.1 million contract, nearly doubling his career earnings.
Landale will again serve as the primary backup to Onyeka Okongwu. Head coach Quin Snyder could experiment with lineups featuring both bigs for added size. Defensively, Landale struggles in space, a limitation that likely remains. His value comes as a sturdy body against physical centers during the long regular season. Once Mouhamed Gueye returns, he or rookie Zuby Ejiofor may pair with Landale to mitigate defensive concerns.
His ability to stretch the floor with a 39% three-point stroke last season is vital. It opens driving lanes for Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. Landale's screening and maturity were specifically valued by the organization. "It felt like I was valued," he said about re-signing. "They really cherished the skillset I brought."
The Hawks are using the preseason to gel, showing positive signs in their slate of games. Their preseason results include a 119-117 win over the Indiana Pacers on October 10 and a 123-116 victory against the San Antonio Spurs on October 8. They opened exhibition play with a 132-123 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on October 5. This 3-1 preseason start provides a foundation of momentum.
Team chemistry is a noted point of growth. Landale himself has observed the group coming together during these preparation games. The next test is a road preseason fixture against the Dallas Mavericks on October 16, a final tune-up before the regular season grind.
Expect Landale to be a consistent, energizing presence off the bench. He won't be a defensive stopper on the perimeter, but he'll battle in the paint, hit open threes, and provide veteran savvy. His happiness to be in Atlanta is palpable, especially after he contemplated leaving the NBA. His story of resilience and a career night makes him a fan favorite.
His health is now most important. A full season of his production could be a significant boost for a Hawks team looking to solidify its playoff positioning. With Okongwu and Landale, Atlanta has a potent one-two punch at the five spot, offering Snyder different tactical looks. Landale's journey from the trade deadline to a key re-signing shows his importance to this team's immediate plans.
