Jared Dudley cites sacrifice for team, playing through injuries as cause for down year

Jared Dudley's 2013-14 season was disappointing enough that the Los Angeles Clippers saw fit to trade him to the Milwaukee Bucks in a deal that was largely a salary dump, clearing $4.25 million off their books for the next two seasons.

When the Clippers acquired Dudley from the Phoenix Suns an offseason ago, they expected a sharpshooting wing capable of providing offensive versatility and heady, albeit unspectacular defense. What they got last season was an inconsistent and at times frustrating player, who sometimes looked like a curiously poor fit in an offense most thought he would thrive in.

For his part, Dudley thinks that sacrifices he made for the team hurt his statistics - which were down across the board - and the team's lack of depth forced him to play through injuries (he appeared in 74 games). As Dudley explained from his new home in Milwaukee:

It was probably the most injury-plagued season I've had. I was trying to sacrifice myself. I told coach (Doc) Rivers that I couldn't go, but we had so many injuries he needed me to fight through it.

I told him I could but I wouldn't be 100 percent. Obviously, my production wasn't as well but I was able to give him a body to cover those minutes. Personally, my numbers suffered but for the team, we were able to get that three-spot covered.

Whatever the cause, the rebuilding Bucks are surely hoping they get the 2010-13 version of Dudley to help ease the pressure on their bevy of young talent.

An offseason of rest and a fresh start may be just what Dudley needs.