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Lakers news: Jared Dudley retires, joins Mavs’ coaching staff

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James Foglio
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James Foglio Sports Editor

James is a Basketball Insiders contributor. He earned his bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University. James enjoys watching sports and helping gamblers win money.

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Updated20 mins ago on April 19, 2024

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Jared Dudley retires

According to sources, Jared Dudley is retiring as an NBA player. He last played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 2019 to 2021. On Twitter, Dudley thanks LeBron James and the Lakers organization for signing him. The 14-year veteran played for seven different  NBA franchises in his professional playing career: Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets), Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers.

Per sources, the Dallas Mavericks have also hired the veteran to serve as one of their assistant coaches under head coach Jason Kidd. Additionally, the 36-year-old forward was selected 22nd overall by the Bobcats in the 2007 NBA Draft.

Dudley made his debut on November 24, 2007 versus the Boston Celtics. He ended his performance with 11 points and nine rebounds. In 904 games played in his professional career, he averaged 7.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. His average field goal percentage was also 46.3 percent, and he shot 39.3 percent from three-point range.

 

Player statistics, awards and injuries

In the 2009-10 season, Dudley had an offensive rating of 123.6, ranking second overall in the league. In the 2011-12 season, he finished with a career-high season average of 12.7 points per game with the Suns. On December 27, 2012, in the Suns’ 99-97 loss against the New York Knicks, he scored a career-high 36 points, five rebounds and three assists. He played a total of seven seasons in Phoenix. Last season, he played only 12 games for the Lakers.

On March 14, 2021, the Lakers’ training staff announced that Dudley suffered a right MCL tear. A few days later, it was reported that the forward would not be pursuing surgery. The veteran averaged only 2.5 minutes played per game in the first-round playoff series against the Suns. However, he provided advice to younger players on the court. Aside from age, this injury probably contributed to his decision to retire. Moreover, on July 7, 2019, the forward signed a one-year, minimum-salary contract with Los Angeles.

The Lakers won the 2020 NBA Finals versus the Miami Heat, so Dudley won his first and only ring of his career, but he didn’t do much that season. The forward averaged only 1.5 points per game. Plus, he earned $1,620,564 last season. On December 1, 2020, Dudley signed a contract extension with the organization. Now, the forward did not qualify for All-NBA First or Second Team selections in his career, but he was a fine contributor for various under-performing teams. While playing NCAA basketball for the Boston College Eagles, he earned the nickname “Junkyard Dog” for his toughness on the court.