The NBA trade deadline came and went in a flurry of activity, and the Utah Jazz wasted no time getting back on the court-this time on the road in Atlanta. But before the ball even tipped, the Jazz were already facing a bit of an awkward twist: Jock Landale, a player who was briefly headed their way in a trade with Memphis, ended up suiting up for the other team.
Yep, Landale was rerouted to the Hawks just hours before tipoff, and not only did he play-he started. And he made sure the Jazz knew exactly what they’d missed out on.
Landale came out firing, dropping 17 points in the first half alone and helping the Hawks take a 61-60 lead into the break. After the game, he even dubbed himself a “Jazz killer.” Based on the performance, it’s hard to argue.
Now, let’s back up for a second. When Utah swung the deal for Jaren Jackson Jr., it looked like they were finally addressing a key need: depth in the frontcourt.
The idea was to pair JJJ with a reliable reserve big who could take some pressure off Jusuf Nurkic. That guy was supposed to be Landale-until he wasn’t.
Instead, Landale was flipped to Atlanta, and the Jazz are left hoping that Jackson Jr. alone can stabilize their big man rotation. That’s a tall order, especially when you look at the current bench options. Kyle Filipowski is still raw, and Kevin Love, while experienced, doesn’t bring the same energy or rim protection that Landale showcased in his debut with Atlanta.
And let’s talk about that debut: 26 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks. That’s not just a solid night-it’s a statement. Landale played with purpose, and the Hawks edged out a 121-119 win, with Landale at the heart of it.
For Utah, this raises a fair question: Did they overthink this one?
In today’s NBA, capable big men who can rebound, defend, and stretch the floor don’t exactly grow on trees. Landale showed he can do all three. He would’ve been a clear upgrade off the bench, and his presence might’ve allowed the Jazz to better manage minutes for Nurkic and JJJ down the stretch.
Of course, there’s another layer to this. Some around the league believe Utah is still playing the long game-focused more on 2026-27 than on stacking wins this season.
There’s logic in that. The Jazz owe their first-round pick to Oklahoma City if it falls outside the bottom eight, so staying near the cellar has its strategic benefits.
Adding Landale and Jackson Jr. might’ve made them a little too competitive, which could’ve jeopardized that pick. But after watching Landale torch them just hours after being traded away, it’s fair to wonder if the Jazz gave up a little too much, a little too soon.
The deadline may be behind us, but the ripple effects are just beginning. And for Utah, Thursday night in Atlanta might be one they look back on with a bit of regret.