We last saw veteran forward Jared Dudley wearing a Brooklyn Nets jersey while driving 76ers point guard Ben Simmons crazy with his strategically irritating antics during the NBA Playoffs. We’ll next see him likely contributing the same way, yet wearing purple and gold this time, traveling coast to coast and joining the Los Angeles Lakers.
Although another 6’7”, free agent forward from San Diego who also formerly played apart the Eastern Conference certainly remains the focus point for the Lakers right now, Dudley’s signing adds depth to a depleted team following their trade to acquire Anthony Davis. Dudley and the Lakers inked a 1–year $2.6 million dollar deal that pays Dudley at the league minimum, strategically leaving the team with enough cap space to pursue other free agents. Last year, Dudley averaged 4.9–points and 2.6–rebounds per game yet mainly served as a key locker room presence for the young Nets squad last year. Dudley mentioned his valued ability to contribute to a team while as a guest on the Woj Podcast as he stated, “What I am is a high IQ basketball player, I see what the team needs. I’m teaching these young guys. Best believe if someone’s doing something to Anthony Davis or LeBron James I’ll step up, that is my role.”
Although Dudley expressed his enjoyment while playing for the Brooklyn Nets, the journeyman stated that this chance to play for his home town team and join James simply appeared too sweet to pass up. Dudley illustrated his excitement to join the Lakers with multiple tweets after the news broke while also revealing his plans to change his number and wear #3 as a Laker. Dudley also joked with his fans amid his likely limited minutes while playing alongside talents such as James, Davis, and Kyle Kuzma next year by changing his profile picture to one depicting a “big three” of Dudley himself, alongside James and Davis.
Aside from the Nets and Lakers, the Detroit Pistons also expressed interest in signing the 11–year man, however the Lakers managed to lure in Dudley successfully.
