Report: Mavericks add Jared Dudley to coaching staff

Jared Dudley is apparently retiring, making his playing chapter of his NBA career conclude. According to Shams Charania, the Dallas Mavericks will add the 14-year veteran to their coaching staff after earlier negotiations. Dudley will become a ‘front of the bench’ assistant under Jason Kidd.

Dudley has always been an outspoken contributor in professional basketball. He’s been a locker room and veteran leading presence for the past years and most recently won a championship with the Lakers. Los Angeles has been expected to move on from the longtime veteran to create room for a looming free-agent after expressed interest in both guards Isaiah Thomas and Darren Collinson.

Due to injuries Dudley only appeared in 12 games this campaign for Los Angeles. The 36-year-old saw 6.8 minutes of action with averages of 0.5 points and 1.8 rebounds. When healthy during LA’s championship season, Dudley performed in 45 games and racked up 1.5 points per game on an effective 42.9% from deep.

Dudley spent his career with seven different organizations and will now accept a higher degree of leadership. Previous reports indicated that Dudley was a candidate to join Frank Vogel’s coaching staff, but that never progressed. The hiring gives Dudley another connection to Jason Kidd. Dudley played under the Kidd coached Bucks in 2014-15 and when Kidd worked as an assistant for the Lakers in 2019-20

LeBron James appeared to take in Dudley’s departure from LA as a bitter pill to swallow, but the superstar is happy for Dudley’s new chapter in the NBA.