Overview
- Multiple outlets reported Tuesday that Jock Landale agreed to return to the Atlanta Hawks on a one-year deal worth $14 million, with secondary reporting describing the contract as fully guaranteed.
- Atlanta plans to use nearly its full $15 million non‑taxpayer mid‑level exception to reach that salary because Landale’s Non‑Bird free-agent rights are insufficient to sign for that amount without the MLE.
- Landale is expected to be the Hawks’ primary backup center behind Onyeka Okongwu after a productive midseason run in Atlanta in which he averaged 9.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 23 games.
- The Hawks cleared room for the contract by declining Jonathan Kuminga’s $24.3 million team option, a move that leaves Atlanta close to the luxury‑tax line and limits further cap flexibility.
- Cap analysts say this deal, together with Robert Williams’ recent re-signing, is helping establish a $14–$15 million annual market for starting-quality reserve bigs; the agreement cannot be officially signed or announced until the league’s permissible signing date on July 6.