The Atlanta Hawks are bringing back a key reserve next season as they have signed a new contract with center Jock Landale. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Tuesday that the Hawks have re-signed Landale to a one-year, $14 million deal.
What happened?
The Hawks will use nearly their entire $15 million mid-level exception to sign Jock Landale to this contract. His Non Bird rights are too low for him to receive this without the MLE.
Why it matters for Atlanta Hawks
After the Hawks picked up Landale at the NBA trade deadline, he played a role as a key reserve for the team, playing in 23 games for Atlanta and averaging 9.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 19.4 minutes per game.
Jock Landale’s NBA Career
Landale is a 30-year-old Australian native who entered the NBA in 2021 as a member of the San Antonio Spurs. Since then, he has played for the Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, and Memphis Grizzlies before finishing this past season in Atlanta.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-03-30 | Milwaukee Bucks | 124-145 |
The Hawks' recent form has been strong, with a record of 3W-0D-1L in their last four games. And with Landale playing well for the team down the stretch, it makes sense for the Hawks to bring him back on a new contract. But the deal was not without its challenges, as the Hawks had to use nearly their entire mid-level exception to sign Landale. So the team will be hoping that Landale can continue to play a key role off the bench, providing energy and scoring punch when needed.
The signing of Landale is a significant move for the Hawks, as it shows that the team is committed to building a strong roster for next season. And with the NBA salary cap expert Yossi Gozlan noting that the going rate for premium reserve big men is $14 million annually, the Hawks may have gotten a good deal on Landale. But only time will tell if the signing pays off, as the Hawks look to make a deep run in the playoffs next season.
As the Hawks look to the future, they will be hoping that Landale can continue to play a key role in their success. And with the team's recent form being strong, there is reason to be optimistic about their chances next season. But the NBA is a competitive league, and the Hawks will need to be at their best if they want to make a deep run in the playoffs.