The Atlanta Hawks added center Jock Landale for free – just the move we’ve been waiting for.
Atlanta’s big man struggles have been no secret. With Kristaps Porzingis missing over 67% of the season thus far, the team has been forced to rely on a cast of unprepared power forwards to play the five.
As a result, the Hawks have one of the weakest interior presences in the league. Atlanta ranks in the bottom three in both rim deterrence (shots allowed at the rim) and offensive rebounding, and 11th-worst in defensive rebounding. This is no way to win basketball games.
Atlanta has perused the market, but no moves worth entertaining were available before the deadline. Now, as teams make aggressive moves, the Hawks positioned themselves to reap the rewards.
Utah traded Landale to Atlanta in exchange for cash considerations. This essentially was a three-way trade, as the money Utah freed up allowed them to harbor Lonzo Ball’s contract for two second round picks.
Landale may not be perfect, but he will be useful
Landale has experienced a breakout this season, averaging 11.3 points, 6.5 boards, 0.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 24 minutes a night. He’s also shot a cool 38.0% from deep on 2.9 attempts a game, solidifying himself as a legitimate shooting option after showing flashes last year.
Don’t get your hopes up too quickly, however. Landale is objectively a poor defender – he’s in the bottom 20% of centers in defensive rebounding rate, blocks per 100, rim attempts defended, and opponent shot differential when defended. Essentially, he can’t do anything on defense at a high level outside of drawing charges.
Still, Landale is indeed a center, and a stretch five at that. Jalen Johnson – and frankly, everyone on the team – should benefit from the spacing created by Landale on the offensive end. He also has 30 pounds on Asa Newell and 40 on Mo Gueye. Could this alone be enough to improve Atlanta’s interior presence?
It is unclear whether this will be successful, but Atlanta acquired Landale for cash considerations – essentially free. He’s also on a one-year minimum deal; if he flops as a Hawk, no harm, no foul. Atlanta can move on with zero long-term consequences, and perhaps the coaching staff and front office could even learn something from his struggles.
The one consequence of this trade is that somebody must be cut. I would anticipate either Duop Reath or N’Faly Dante is on the chopping block, as it makes little sense for Atlanta to roster two centers with season-ending injuries.