The Houston Rockets haven’t wasted any time upgrading their roster as they look to make a deeper playoff run next season.
The Rockets pulled off one of the biggest moves this month, acquiring superstar forward and future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant in a blockbuster trade from the Phoenix Suns. The Rockets had to part ways with Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, but Houston now looks poised to be a threat in the Western Conference.
That isn’t the only move that the Rockets have made. Houston signed veteran point guard Fred VanVleet to a two-year, $50 million extension after he declined his $44.8 million club option for next season. The Rockets will also reportedly retain three key veterans as they shore up their bench unit.
Speaking of veterans, center Jock Landale’s future with the team is still unclear. Landale is set to make $8 million, which isn’t a crazy amount in NBA terms. But with Durant’s addition, plus the re-signing of several players, the Rockets could move on from Landale.
According to Fred Katz of The Athletic, Houston and Landale reportedly agreed to push his guarantee date back to July 7. Katz adds that the 29-year-old’s original guarantee date was scheduled for June 29.
The Rockets and Jock Landale have agreed to push back Landale’s guarantee date to July 7, a league source tells The Athletic. Landale’s original guarantee date was previously supposed to be today.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) June 29, 2025
Rockets, Jock Landale Delay Guarantee Date to July 7
It will be interesting to see what the Rockets’ brass could potentially get in return for Landale by himself, or a potential trade involving Cam Whitmore, for example, who has also seen his name pop up in trade rumors.
Last season, Landale averaged 4.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in 11.9 minutes per game off the bench (42 games). In his first year with the Rockets, the Australian big man posted 4.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 13.6 minutes per game (56 games).
The 29-year-old center didn’t play much in the preseason and is currently slated as the third option behind Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams. Adams was re-signed to a three-year, $39 million contract extension two weeks ago.
If the Rockets want to upgrade another spot on their roster, Landale’s contract could help them facilitate a deal to land what they need.