The Houston Rockets certainly possess a load of depth at the center position. They showed more of their double-big lineup in the opening round of the playoffs, playing All-Star Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams together. Now in free agency, they brought back one of their former starting centers, Clint Capela, on a three-year deal worth $21 million. With the cupboard stacked with centers, the Rockets have waived Jock Landale. He will become an unrestricted free agent once he clears waivers. Are there any teams for Jock Landale that could be potential suitors?
The Houston Rockets are waiving center Jock Landale ahead of his July 7 guarantee date, sources tell ESPN. Landale is expected to sign with his preferred destination upon clearing waivers.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 3, 2025
Jock Landale Waived, These Teams Could Be Potential Suitors
In the 2023 offseason, Landale agreed to a four-year deal with the Rockets worth $32 million. Each season was for $8 million, but the catch was that only the first year was fully guaranteed. Houston brought him back for the first of three non-guaranteed years, but they decided not to for the second.
Coming off a solid season with the Phoenix Suns in 2022-23, the 29-year-old Landale hasn’t quite been as impactful with the Rockets. After playing in 56 outings averaging 13.6 minutes in 2023-24, those numbers dipped to 42 and 11.6 respectively last season. In 2024-25, the 6-foot-11 center posted averages of 4.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. He shot 53.3% from the field, 11-26 (42.3%) from beyond the arc, and 27-40 (67.5%) from the free-throw line.
Landale has only started 11 games in his four NBA seasons, so it shouldn’t be expected that a team would bring him in to start. He is still someone with an above-average career PER of 16.1 (16.0 in 2024-25). According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, teams will be interested in him when he clears waivers. While the teams weren’t named, here are some that could use a big man for their roster.
The Houston Rockets are waiving veteran center Jock Landale, source told @TheAthletic. A handful of teams have expressed interest upon clearing waivers.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) July 3, 2025
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers do not have a true center on their roster at the moment. Tuesday brought the shocking news that longtime starting center Myles Turner was leaving Indiana to join the Milwaukee Bucks.
That leaves a massive hole in the middle for Indiana. Both of their reserve bigs used in the playoffs, Thomas Bryant and Tony Bradley, are still unrestricted free agents. The Pacers did extend a qualifying offer to Isaiah Jackson, making him a restricted free agent. He appeared in just five games last season though due to a torn Achilles.
Los Angeles Lakers
Yes, the Lakers did just sign Deandre Ayton. He will be their starting center next season. The first overall pick in 2018 was waived by the Portland Trail Blazers. Who’s to say that the Lakers can’t add two centers waived by their previous team?
They clearly were missing a reliable center after trading for Luka Doncic. They started Jaxson Hayes, but come playoff time, head coach JJ Redick had no faith in him. A backup center behind Ayton is still needed.
(Editor’s note: Hayes re-signed with the Lakers after article was published.)
Boston Celtics
Winners of the 2024 NBA Finals, the Celtics have been in cost-cutting mode, especially after knowing Jayson Tatum may miss all of next season with a torn Achilles.
Boston’s depth chart at center has been compromised. Kristaps Porzingis was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, and Luke Kornet signed with the San Antonio Spurs. Al Horford remains unsigned, but it’s looking as if a return to the Celtics isn’t in the cards. They do still roster little-used Neemias Queta, but his salary for 2025-26 is only half-guaranteed (fully guaranteed on Opening Night). They also signed Luka Garza, who received minimal playing time during his four years with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Photo credit: © Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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