Jared Dudley
An obvious yet tough decision to make.
Jared Dudley in terms of stats (with all due respect) offers next to nothing. The only statistical category he actually averages more than 1.0 in is rebounding (1.7RPG).
You look at his stat lines and the first question that comes to mind for many is how the hell is this guy on a championship roster?
It sounds cliche but you can’t measure a players impact on stats alone.
In Jared Dudley’s case, his immeasurable stats are off the charts. I have mentioned in previous slides about glue guys. That person who brings a team together, who mends any fractures within the team, who is able to speak to superstars and the 15th man on the roster and help the team come together when the time is right.
That is Jared Dudley to an absolute tee.
Dudley is a player coach. You could like Dudley to Udonis Haslem on the Heat. Haslem offers little to nothing in terms of production but he is someone who every single person in the locker room respect and can turn to for advice.
Dudley can keep the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis in check. He can speak to them about stuff they are doing and aren’t doing. He can offer constructive criticism and they know it is coming from a place of caring and wanting them to be better. If some of the players on the team feel like they aren’t getting enough of the ball due to AD and LeBron getting more touches, Dudley is they guy who relays the message in the best possible way so no bad blood is formed.
Dudley is simply able to speak to players in a way that a coach can’t.
It is entirely possible that Dudley could stay with the Lakers next year, he will require nothing more than the veteran minimum and he would stay with the Lakers gladly and I’m sure to a certain extent they would be happy to have him, but with how the Lakers have dealt with injuries to their superstars in Anthony Davis and LeBron James this season, it doesn’t make sense to have players who can’t offer anything on the court anymore.
Alex Caruso and Markieff Morris and Laker glue guys but they offer significant play on the floor and are able to make a large impact on a game.
Dudley is getting garbage minutes when the game is over.
If the Lakers feel comfortable with the depth they have next season then bring back Dudley but I can see a situation where the purple and gold will want to be deep at every position to give them a better chance at winning consistently.
If Dudley calls it a day, he will most certainly be able to land a spot on Frank Vogel’s coaching staff. That is probably what should have happened this season but Dudley is still the Lakers Udonis Haslem for one more season at least.
Every single team in the NBA wishes they had a Jared Dudley.