Veteran Jared Dudley agrees to minimum deal with the Lakers
The Lakers and free-agent forward Jared Dudley have agreed to a deal for him to join the team. Dudley, a 6-foot-7 forward, will sign for the veteran minimum of about $2.5 million.
He had offers from the Brooklyn Nets, the team he played on last season, and the Detroit Pistons.
Dudley felt his best chance at winning a NBA championship was teaming up with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and, perhaps, free agent Kawhi Leonard, who is still mulling his decision on whether to join the Lakers, Clippers or return to the Toronto Raptors.
Dudley, 33, is a 12-year veteran who will help space the court for the Lakers with his perimeter shooting. In 59 games last season, he averaged 4.9 points and 21 minutes per game, shooting 42.3% from the field and 35.1% from three-point range.
Dudley is a career 39.2% shooter from three-point range and 46.5% from the field. He is also known as a good locker-room presence.
Aside from waiting for Leonard to make his choice, the Lakers still have several roster spots to fill. Only James, Davis and Kyle Kuzma are currently under contract, with Dudley and shooting guard Troy Daniels set to sign after the NBA’s business moratorium ends Saturday.
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The Lakers agreed to a one-year deal with Daniels on Monday and have second-round draft pick Talen Horton-Tucker, a shooting guard out of Iowa State, to add to the roster.
The team also has undrafted rookie Zach Norvell, a shooting guard from Gonzaga, signed to a two-way contract, making him eligible to play for the Lakers as well as their G League affiliate.
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