According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Memphis Grizzlies are signing Jock Landale. As previously explored, the free-agent center represented an intriguing potential option for the Boston Celtics.
The 29-year-old from Australia averaged 4.8 points and 3.3 rebounds this season. He logged 11.9 minutes of playing time spanning 42 games. The four-year veteran also knocked down 42.3 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. Granted, that was on just 0.6 attempts per contest. He's hoisting 1.1 triples for his career, converting them at a 29.7 percent rate.
Landale would have given the Celtics an infusion of athleticism at center. His ability to run the floor and factor in on transition opportunities would have meshed with Boston's desire to operate at a faster pace.
Instead, he's on the way to Memphis. The Grizzlies also traded Jay Huff to the Indiana Pacers, per Charania. The latter parted with a second-round selection and agreed to a Round 2 pick swap in exchange for the seven-foot-one center.
Huff produced 6.9 points and nearly 1.0 blocks per contest in the 2024-25 campaign. He buried 40.5 percent of the 3.1 threes he launched in his 11.7 minutes of floor time across 64 tilts. Like Landale, the former Virginia Cavalier represented an interesting potential low-cost option for the Celtics. Now he's off the board, too.
The theme of the Celtics' depth chart at center
From Neemias Queta to Luka Garza, who Boston agreed to a deal with on the opening day of free agency, the team's options to patrol the pivot share a common trait.
The centers on the Celtics' depth chart are low-cost bets on upside. Whether it was in the G League or limited NBA minutes, it's a group that has flashed potential the organization hopes to cultivate.
That even applies to Xavier Tillman Sr., who stepped up when called upon in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, but fell to the bottom of the roster this season.
The same goes for second-round pick Amari Williams. The former University of Kentucky star stands seven feet tall. He's a skilled passer, protects the rim with a wingspan stretching to seven feet five, and cleans up on the boards.
The expectation is for Williams to start his NBA career on a two-way deal. However, he may even prove the most intriguing center currently on Boston's roster.
It's also important to remember that NBA front offices aren't done building their rosters in early July. The snapshot of who the Celtics are employing to patrol the pivot could change before opening night.
With that said, the priority is to get under the second apron again. In an ideal world, they dip below the luxury tax as they work to regain flexibility. Still, while understanding their roster-building limitations, their depth chart at center has undergone a dramatic makeover.
Boston traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks; Luke Kornet is taking his talent to the San Antonio Spurs; Al Horford could soon leave in free agency.
Strengthening the position with a higher-caliber investment could pay dividends in the short and long term.