Dudley retiring, will join Mavs' staff: I've prepared for this for 'long time'
Veteran forward Jared Dudley will retire after 14 seasons as a player in the NBA and take a job as an assistant coach on Jason Kidd's Dallas Mavericks staff, he confirmed on social media Tuesday.
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
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) August 24, 2021
Dudley, 36, spent the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he won a title in 2020.
The Boston College product also played for the Charlotte Bobcats, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards, and Brooklyn Nets.
Dudley appeared in a dozen games last season, averaging just 6.8 minutes off the bench - the fewest of his career.
Like Dudley, Kidd spent the last two campaigns with the Lakers. The 10-time NBA All-Star was an assistant under Frank Vogel. Kidd also coached Dudley while with the Bucks from 2014 to 2018.
Kidd's coaching reputation came into question following the publication of Mirin Fader's "Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP." His methods as head coach of the Bucks were met with widespread derision, prompting a response from Dudley, who called Kidd "a great coach" who "laid the foundation for (the Bucks) winning the chip this year."
Dudley's addition to Kidd's staff marks the second expected coaching hiring by the Mavs in a week after Los Angeles Sparks star Kristi Toliver was reportedly linked with an assistant role.