But United are in the final weeks of pre-season, so when Landale asked to train, it wasn’t an immediate yes.
“He said I’ve got a real good opportunity this year and I want to come work out with you guys while I’m home,” Vickerman said.
Melbourne United’s Jock Landale dunks against Perth Wildcats in the NBL grand final series in 2021.Credit: Getty Images
“I checked with ‘CG’, Shea Ili and a few others like ‘do you think this helps us?’ and they all said yeah. It’s been fun talking to him and getting his observations about the group.
“For that gold group, getting an NBA player has been good for those guys, but he’s also let other guys lead, then stepped in when needed. It’s been awesome.”
Landale signed a four-year, $US32 million (about $48.5 million) deal with Houston Rockets in 2023 but only the first season was guaranteed. This off-season, they let him go after leaving him on the bench for large chunks of those two seasons.
Landale read the landscape well, taking the Grizzlies’ offer of a one-year, $US2.4 million deal because he saw few teams had cap space for bigger deals, while Memphis had 7′4 centre Zach Edey coming back from ankle surgery.
Jock Landale playing for the Houston Rockets last NBA season.Credit: AP
So Landale will likely start at centre alongside stars such as Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson jnr.
“As soon as I got that offer, I said to myself, ‘This is something I can’t pass up’,” Landale said.
“I had two years in Houston where I played well when I played, but I didn’t play enough. And I didn’t want to be left behind.
“There’s a lot of good players without jobs right now. Knowing that their culture is what it is, and I feel as I fit that mould – I was really excited for the opportunity.”
The Grizzlies have a loud, passionate fan base, while their players are known for their grit and aggressiveness.
Landale wouldn’t be drawn on the role coach Tuomas Iisalo pitched to him but he can’t wait to get on court.
“They have a cohesiveness that really suits my personality,” Landale said.
“It’s not often in my career that I feel as though I’ve gotten lucky, but in this instance, it feels as though something really good has popped up and I’ve lucked out.”
Off the court, Landale has thrown himself into fatherhood since Archie’s arrival – both the baby and the Grizzlies’ offer arrived in July.
“It was a whirlwind of excitement and joy,” Landale said.
“It wasn’t like ‘I’ve got a kid now, how does that affect what I’m doing?’ It was more ‘this is all slotting into place perfectly’.
“He’s been life-changing for both of us and how we see the world.
“Any parent knows that when that happens, it redefines you. It has changed me, changed my life and for the better.
“Archie slept 12 out of 15 hours to Australia, which was a treat. He has an American passport right now but he’s Australian through and through.”
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.