Rockets Cut Ties with Veteran Big Man Ahead of Contract Deadline

The Rockets have decided to part ways with their veteran center during the first week of NBA free agency.
Mar 17, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Jock Landale (2) warms up before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Toyota Center.
Mar 17, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Jock Landale (2) warms up before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Toyota Center. | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The Houston Rockets have been one of the more active teams to start NBA free agency, as they look to take that next step after winning 52 games this past season. 

Houston made a significant defensive upgrade on the perimeter, signing Dorian Finney-Smith to a massive four-year, $53 million deal earlier this week. They also brought back a familiar face in Clint Capela on a three-year, $21.5 million contract.

With Capela in the fold at the center spot, this Rockets veteran became expendable, and will try to land a new opportunity in the coming days.

Rockets Part Ways With Jock Landale After Two Seasons

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Houston is waiving center Jock Landale ahead of his July 7 guarantee date. Charania adds that the veteran big man is expected to sign with his “preferred destination” after clearing waivers.

Last weekend, Fred Katz of The Athletic reported that Houston and Landale agreed on pushing his guarantee date back from June 29 to July 7. The 29-year-old big man had a non-guaranteed $8 million salary for the 2025-26 season.

It’s not surprising to see the Rockets waive Landale, as he likely didn’t garner much interest on the trade market.

The Australian big man didn’t play much off the bench in his two seasons with the Rockets. In his first year, Landale averaged 4.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 13.6 minutes per game (56 games).

Then this past season, Landale recorded 4.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in 11.9 minutes per game (42 games). For his career, the fourth-year center is averaging 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.

With Landale out the door, the Rockets have their frontcourt set, especially at the center spot with Alpernen Sengun, Steven Adams, and Capela. Adams and Capela offer more from a defensive aspect than Landale, and can give you a little bit of production on offense.

Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see how head coach Ime Udoka uses all of those guys next season, as they might have one of the best center rotations in the league..

More Houston Rockets News and Rumors: