LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 12: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers high fives Jared Dudley #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 12, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)Jared Dudley wasn’t the biggest on-court contributor to the Los Angeles Lakers title run this past season. The veteran does have the respect of LeBron James and his teammates.
On Monday night, Dudley agreed to return to the Lakers on a one-year deal. He’ll be on the veteran minimum, making $2.6 million, per ESPN.
The defending NBA Champions have had a very good offseason. The team held on to guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who had a huge playoff run, and added center Marc Gasol, guard Dennis Schröder, and forwards Wesley Matthews and Montrezl Harrell. The team looks deeper on paper than it did just a few months ago when it won the championship.
LeBron James is excited to have Dudley back. In response to Dudley’s announcement of the move, James had one word for his veteran teammate: “YESSIR!”
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 YESSIR!!!!!! https://t.co/1uoMsUmBve
— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 1, 2020
In 45 games for the Los Angeles Lakers last season, Jared Dudley averaged 1.5 points and 1.2 rebounds per game. He appeared in nine playoff games in the Orlando bubble.
“Apart from bringing a career 3-point percentage of 39.3% and 42 games of postseason experience to the mix, Dudley became an important part of the Lakers’ team culture last season by organizing dinners and gatherings on the road and serving as a mentor to Kyle Kuzma,” ESPN‘s Dave McMenamin said of the signing.
