Los Angeles Lakers: Retroactively grading the 2019 offseason signings

By Jason Reed | Apr 13, 2020

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 06: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets is fouled while being guarded byAvery Bradley #11 and Danny Green #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half at Staples Center on February 6, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Jared Dudley: C+

Jared Dudley made headlines in last year’s playoffs for his pestering play against the Philadelphia 76ers. He even went as far as to call NBA all-star Ben Simmons an average NBA player, something he would later walk back.

The Lakers signed Dudley for one reason and one reason only — to provide emergency depth in the rotation and to be a veteran presence that could help teach a young forward, such as Kyle Kuzma, a thing or two that LeBron and AD already haven’t.

And Dudley has delivered in that role. If we are looking at his numbers in the most rudimentary way it might seem silly to give Dudley a passing grade. He is only averaging 7.8 minutes per game, scoring 1.5 points while hauling in 1.1 rebounds.

However, that was the expectations going in for Dudley. It is not a surprise to the Lakers and should not be a surprise for any fans, unless they were unrealistically expecting more out of Dudley in the purple and gold.

The veteran forward has done what has been expected of him. He has not done any less, but he also has not done any more.

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