Dudley is in advanced discussions Tuesday with the Mavericks to join the team's coaching staff, independent NBA writer Marc Stein reports.
After finishing off back-to-back one-year deals with the Lakers and becoming a free agent this summer, Dudley reportedly had interested in returning to Los Angeles for a third season in 2021-22, but the team appears to have turned its focus to filling his roster spot with a veteran guard, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports. With the Lakers not looking to retain him and few other enticing opportunities available for him to continue his playing career, Dudley looks poised to retire as a player after 14 NBA seasons. Assuming this in the end of the 36-year-old forward's time in the league, he'll step away from the game with averages of 7.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 three-pointer in 22.3 minutes per game over 904 career regular-season appearances between the Bobcats, Suns, Clippers, Bucks, Wizards, Nets and Lakers. If he accepts an assistant position with Dallas, Dudley should mesh well with new Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, who was on the Los Angeles staff the past two seasons and who also coached Dudley in Milwaukee.
Dudley (knee) is available for Sunday's game against the Pelicans, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Dudley hasn't appeared in a game since early March, but he will be able to suit up Sunday. The 35-year-old is unlikely to see meaningful playing time against New Orleans.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Jared Dudley: Likely available Sunday
Rotowire
Dudley (knee) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against New Orleans.
Dudley hasn't appeared in a game since early March, but it looks like he'll be available Sunday if needed. The 35-year-old isn't likely to see many minutes Sunday unless a plethora of players are sidelined.
Dudley (knee) is leaning toward not undergoing surgery, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.
Dudley was diagnosed with a torn MCL on Sunday, but he'll elect to simply rehab and see whether his knee will heal rather than undergo surgery. While surgery would keep him sidelined for months, Dudley hopes to return to the court in time for the playoffs.
