A week of negotiations has seen Jock Landale and his agent able to come to an agreement on his existing contract with his Lithuanian club Žalgiris Kaunas and have mutually parted ways.
Landale took to Twitter two days ago with negotiations ongoing, posting a cryptic hourglass emoji. No doubt hinting the prospect of being released and able to sign hometown NBL team, Melbourne United
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— Jock Landale (@JockLandale) December 1, 2020
With United coach Dean Vickerman hinting at the opportunity to acquire Landale on this weeks episode of Overtime, he noted if Landale could be released for his contract he hoped the team could sign him as soon as this week.
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“We would love to have him, there is a contract there for him and we hope we sort it out pretty quickly,” Vickerman told NBL Overtime.
“We would like to see something happen this week either way. Otherwise the timing of it to try and get someone else on a plane and do those kind of things at the start of the season is going to be a battle.
“If we can in any way have it cleared up by the end of the week it would be amazing.
“Jock Landale is a talented kid and we have been so fortunate to have had him for the past couple of months in our practice.”
Despite the Lithuanian basketball league (LKL) already underway and Zalgiris nine games into the season, Landale had still been unable to leave Australia due to the coronavirus and join the team.
The uncertainty of when Landale would be allowed to fly internationally was certainly a factor in the outcome, especially with Kalgiris currently on top of the LKL Zalgiris currently sit atop of the LKL with an 8-1 record and are focused on repeating as league champions.
The team initially weren’t open to giving up on the idea of having Landale join the team but as each week went by, Melbourne United’s window to sign him for a “one and done” season in Australia before heading to the NBA became larger.
Landale signed a deal with Zalgiris last summer and had a running contract for next season. After the two sides reached an agreement, the 24-year-old addressed the fans and the Zalgiris organization.
“I just wanted to reach out and say thank you for everything you’ve done for the past year. It was such an incredible experience coming to Lithuania and playing for such a historic club and a legendary coach. To the organization, I appreciate what you guys have done. Everyone’s got goals and ambitions, and you really helped me reach mine. You’ve got a fan in me for life”.
In his debut EuroLeague season, the 211 cm-tall center averaged 11.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 20 minutes of action.
Vickerman also believes Landale will play a vital role for the Australian Boomers at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, a role which is now likely to be a much larger one with the recent announcement of legendary Aussie big man Andrew Bogut.
“We have sold to him that we believe the Olympics is such a massive thing, he can play such a big part in it, that we think we are the best preparation for him to go and really have an amazing Olympics,” Vickerman said.
“If that leads him to the NBA or to where he wants to get to after that, or if he stays here.”