Jock Landale enters restricted free agency on a playoff high

When the Phoenix Suns were on the brink of playoff elimination, and franchise centre Deandre Ayton was under fire, Jock Landale took the opportunity and ascended to an expanded role.

For several years after graduating from St. Mary’s College of California, Jock Landale was one of Australia’s best players outside of the NBA. A standout season with Melbourne United, including Grand Final MVP honours in 2021, increased his stock to the point where NBA teams finally gave him a chance. Landale enjoyed a productive rookie year with the San Antonio Spurs, but was subsequently traded to the Phoenix Suns in a deal that involved All-Star Dejounte Murray.

With Deandre Ayton firmly entrenched as the Suns’ franchise centre, Landale was battling journeyman Bismack Biyombo for limited backup minutes. The Geelong product saw a slightly increased role compared to the season prior, averaging 6.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in 14.2 minutes per game. Although he had to endure an up and down season with inconsistent playing time, Landale peaked in his final two regular season games, when Ayton was out of action.

Landale recorded 17 points and ten rebounds in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, before following up this effort with a 15 point, eight rebound game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Against the Lakers, the 6’11 centre used his size to good effect, by posting up and bullying smaller defenders inside. He also functioned well as a rim running big man, catching passes in transition for an easy dunk or layup. Landale was 0/3 on midrange jumpers in that game, and missed his only three-point attempt, but it’s encouraging that he’s looking for the shot. Defensively the Aussie showed some impressive flashes, coming up with three one on one stops against LeBron James.

“I can shoot the piss out of it,” Landale told ESPN in 2021, one year after he qualified for the Lithuanian three-point contest.

When Phoenix faced the LA Clippers two days later, Landale put on a clinic against seven footer Ivica Zubac. The Boomers regular was able to get whatever he wanted inside, with a repertoire of shot making that included a spin move, floater and hook shot. He also pulled down four offensive rebounds, and made his lone three point make when Zubac gave him a little too much room. Landale even showed flashes of kick out passing, when the defence collapsed upon him, and finished with a team-high +/- of +7.

Landale may have finished the regular season on a high, but Ayton’s return was always going to pose challenges. The Aussie made just one appearance in Phoenix’s first round series win over the Clippers, with eight minutes in their game one loss. Then-head coach Monty Williams appeared to favour Biyombo in the backup centre role, while Landale was forced to settle for “DNP-CDs” (Did not play - Coach’s decision). However, the tide was just about to turn strongly in Landale’s favour.

When the Suns faced the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semi-finals, Landale was initially forced to endure a similar role. He logged a total of fifteen minutes over their first two matches, while Denver raced out to a 2-0 series lead. Game three of that series may go down as a seminal moment for Landale, who came off the bench and became an unlikely hero, while Ayton struggled and came under fire. The latter shot just 2/6 from the field and logged four fouls in 26 minutes, meaning Landale earned an extended run. The Aussie also managed to leapfrog Biyombo, who surprisingly did not enter the game at all.

Landale faced the impossible task of matching up against MVP candidate Nikola Jokić. The Serbian big man finished with 30 points, 17 rebounds and 17 assists in a dominant performance, but Landale did everything in his power to make life difficult. It was an inspiring underdog performance, as Landale routinely wrestled with Jokić off the ball, and didn’t shy away from giving up a foul on several occasions. The Aussie enjoyed a few small victories of his own, with six points on 3-3 shooting, nine rebounds and an impressive steal where he picked off a Jokić pass. Phoenix won by a 121-114 scoreline, and Landale recorded a +/- of +10 in a game where he epitomised the common basketball phrase “know your role”.

Fresh off his game three heroics, Landale earned another extended run in game four, where Ayton again got into foul trouble. Jokić was an unstoppable offensive juggernaut yet again, finishing on 53 points and 11 assists, but Landale was able to do some damage of his own. The Suns recruit finished with eight points on 4/6 shooting and logged three offensive rebounds, on his way to a team high +/- of +16. Landale’s hustle plays, including a steal, putback dunk and fourth quarter block, raised his stock to a new level. Michael Porter Jr. was often on the receiving end, with Landale bullying him in the paint for two easy buckets, while stuffing one of his shots at the other end.

Game five was less eventful for Landale, as he finished with five points and four boards in 16 minutes. He still managed to stay ahead of Biyombo, who copped another “DNP-CD”, but Ayton was less foul-prone and played 32 minutes. Phoenix lost this contest by a 118-102 scoreline, setting up a do-or-die game six at home, and still without starting point guard Chris Paul - who ended up missing four consecutive games due to a groin complaint.

Landale was thrust into the spotlight when Ayton was ruled out of game six, due to a rib contusion. One might have expected an ugly time share with Biyombo, but the Congolese big man only logged eight minutes off the bench. Landale excelled in one of the highest stakes games of his career, recording 13 points (a playoff career high) and five rebounds in 31 minutes of action.

Jokić once against torched the Suns, finishing with a 32 point triple-double that powered an emphatic 125-100 victory. He couldn’t do much to stop Landale at the other end however, as the Aussie caught him napping four times with nifty backdoor cuts. Landale once again knew his role, and played high percentage basketball, with an impressive 5/6 shooting line from the field. He also stopped athletic forward Aaron Gordon at the rim, in one of Phoenix’s small defensive victories. A curious statistical anomaly emerged from this game, where Landale somehow recorded a +/- of +7, while playing 31 minutes in such a heavy loss. Star guard Devin Booker was -27 in comparison, as he endured yet another forgettable semi-final, after Dallas trumped Phoenix last year.

Landale is entering a critical juncture in his career as a restricted free agent this offseason. His stock has never been higher, following a breakout playoff series where he was often trusted to play important fourth quarter minutes over Ayton. Landale also projects as a potential starter at the upcoming FIBA World Cup, where the Boomers are chasing another major tournament medal. Only time will tell whether Phoenix decides to retain his services, but on a positive note, it appears that the Aussie leapfrogged Biyombo in the rotation. The departure of Suns head coach Monty Williams also shakes things up, as the new boss may have different ideas about Landale’s potential. One person who has shown support for Landale though, is Devin Booker, who credited his screens after their game four win.

Whether it’s in Phoenix or elsewhere, Landale appears primed to make a leap next season. With plenty of NBA eyes on him throughout the World Cup, tournament success may be the catalyst that takes him to the next level.