Jock Landale To Become Unrestricted Free Agent

The Suns have decided to withdraw their qualifying offer to Jock Landale, making the center an unrestricted free agent, league sources tell Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports (Twitter links).

As Fischer explains, the Suns plan to target minimum-salaried players for backup center minutes behind Deandre Ayton. Landale’s QO was $2,219,706, which is slightly above the projected minimum.

Withdrawing the qualifying offer means Phoenix will lose the right of first refusal, so the Suns will be unable to match a contract offer for Landale and he is free to sign with any team. Still, it’s worth noting that the Suns will keep his Early Bird rights if other plans fall through, notes Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports (via Twitter).

Landale previously expressed interest in signing a long-term contract with Phoenix, effusively praising the city, fans and the organization. Fischer reported earlier today that the Suns planned to re-sign the 27-year-old, but obviously there was a change of plans.

The Australian becomes one of the more interesting backup options in a market that isn’t exactly flush with quality big men. He averaged 6.6 PPG and 4.1 RPG in 69 regular season games with the Suns (14.2 MPG), and played quite well in the team’s second-round playoff loss to the Nuggets, who went on to win their first championship.

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