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Andrew LopezESPN
Jared Dudley‘s NBA career is coming to a close as he’s joining the Dallas Mavericks‘ coaching staff, the 14-year veteran said on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon.
In a pair of tweets, Dudley thanked the Los Angeles Lakers organization — naming LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Jeanie Buss specifically — for helping him win a title late in his career before announcing he was taking a position with the Mavericks. He also thanked a number of current and former NBA players.
I been preparing this moment for a long time! From deep talks With Nash, Hill, Shaq, Bron, Booker, Beal, AD, Giannis the list goes on.. Very excited to Join the MAVS and JKidd staff! Perfect fit and opportunity… Time to get to work
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) August 24, 2021
Man what a ride! 14 yr NBA career capped off by winning a NBA championship with the @Lakers! Just want to thank GOD for blessing me, also want to personally thank @KingJames @AntDavis23 @JeanieBuss and the Lakers organization,Without Bron and AD I don’t join LAL or wing a 💍
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) August 24, 2021
“I been preparing this moment for a long time! From deep talks With Nash, Hill, Shaq, Bron, Booker, Beal, AD, Giannis the list goes on.. Very excited to Join the MAVS and JKidd staff! Perfect fit and opportunity… Time to get to work,” Dudley tweeted.
Dudley is joining a Dallas staff led by Jason Kidd, who was an assistant coach with the Lakers for the last two seasons.
Dudley was a first-round draft pick by the then-Charlotte Bobcats in 2007, playing the first 1 1/2 seasons of his career there. He also played with Phoenix (twice), the LA Clippers, Milwaukee, Washington and Brooklyn before finishing his career with the Lakers.
In 904 games, Dudley averaged 7.3 points and 3.2 rebounds playing as a reserve for most of his career, embracing that veteran-presence role in his final seasons.