3 Rockets whose stock are fading fast, 2 that are skyrocketing

Stock fading: Jock Landale

The Rockets gave Landale a four-year $32 million contract in free agency, but only the first season was fully guaranteed. They hoped he would take a step forward and be a key contributor on both ends of the floor, but things have not gone to plan in the early going.

Landale is nearly invisible in most games. He has only played in four of the team’s first six contests and is averaging 3.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 0.8 steals in 14.0 minutes each night. The 6’11 big man is shooting 30.8 percent from the field and 25.0 percent on his 3-point tries.

The Houston Rockets hoped to get an impactful backup center behind Alperen Sengun, but so far it has not happened. Landale has a 0.0 value over replacement player (VORP) and his win shares per 48 minutes is 0.035 with 0.100 being the league average. The 28-year-old has been replacement level and below-average to begin the year.

If they had to make the decision right now, the Rockets would likely cut Jock Landale free from the final three years of his deal and look for a replacement. Can the 6’11 big man get back on track and be an impactful rotation piece for Houston moving forward? That is the goal.