When a pandemic does not ruin the timing of an NBA season, July is always such a head-turning event. If you look at one transaction, then you miss three more. Jock Landale has just been on the receiving end of the transaction tumble thanks to the Atlanta Hawks‘ desire to improve their roster.
Landale came to the Hawks on the 30th of June in the trade which sent three future first-round draft pick and Danilo Gallinari to the San Antonio Spurs for Dejounte Murray. We then explored what role Landale would have with the Hawks franchise going forward.
Well, two days later, that question was answered. What role would Landale have for the Hawks? Well, he would bring approximately $0.11 million back to the franchise per John Hollinger of The Atheltic. The reason for this you ask? He has been traded to the Phoenix Suns for cash per Shams of the Athletic.
Why the Atlanta Hawks may have traded Jock Landale
In an era where the NBA is moving towards stretch-fives, the Hawks have stayed loyal to the true center role. Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu are players who stay close to the rim and both ends of the floor. The only exception is when they step out of the paint for the pick and roll with Trae Young.
While Okongwu has vowed to come back with a jump shot next season, the Hawks are going to use their centers in the paint as a rule. Last season we saw them step away from this play with Gorgui Dieng who quickly showed us that this did not work with Young’s style of offense and he was out of the rotations throughout the season.
So, with the Hawks being so strapped for cap room, why would they trade Landale to the Suns for cash when he was only due $1.5 million? This scribe’s current working theory is that the Hawks are looking to their summer camp roster to fill this spot for a similar price.
Justin Tillman was a call-up last season when the Hawks were going through their Covid-19 crisis. While he did not get any playing time, Tillman went back to the College Park Skyhawks with a mission. He collected a huge amount of double-doubles and was a big reason that the Skyhawks made the G League playoffs.
His game style is very similar to that of Okongwu and this is certainly going to be beneficial for the Hawks if they sign Tillman to a well-deserved contract. We may have to wait until after training camp before we find out.