Five years after he last laced 'em up in the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers *finally* officially renounced the free agent rights to Jared Dudley on Wednesday. Yeah, you heard that right: five years! This isn't about some active player, it's about a 41-year-old former Dallas Mavericks assistant coach for Luka Doncic, a dude who actually won a championship with the Lakers back in 2020. It's a wild move, clearing the books for someone who's been crushing it on the sidelines for years.
The Player Who Became a Champ
Dudley's journey to that 2020 Lakers championship was built on pure grit and smart play, not just flash. He carved out a lengthy 14-year NBA career, getting drafted by the Charlotte Hornets, remember them as the Bobcats?, in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft, 22nd overall. Fourteen years in the league is no joke, especially when you're celebrated for that infectious energy on both ends of the court and some absolutely dependable three-point shooting as a role player. This guy was a total pro, consistently delivering for his teams. By the time he hit Los Angeles in 2019, he wasn't logging 15.0+ minutes a game anymore, but he was still a presence. During his two-year stint with the Lakers, he averaged 1.0 points and 1.5 rebounds in 7.4 minutes, shooting 31.1% from the field and 38.1% from deep, though on low volume. It just proves his value went beyond the box score. He racked up 6,633 career points, showing his consistent scoring touch throughout his time on the hardwood.From Locker Room Guy to Coaching Guru
So, Dudley hung up his sneakers after the 2020-21 campaign, but he didn't just disappear. Not even close! He immediately flipped the script and joined the Dallas Mavericks' coaching staff in 2021. Think about it: going from a key locker room veteran to a coach. He spent three and a half years working with Luka Doncic in Dallas, shaping one of the league's biggest stars. That's a huge stamp of approval on his basketball IQ. Just this past season, he finished his first year as an assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets. The guy is clearly in demand as a coach! And now, finally, the Lakers have officially renounced his free agent rights. It's wild that it took five years, but it means he can officially, formally move on from his playing days with Los Angeles. They didn't just clear Dudley, either. HoopsHype's Michael Scotto dropped the news that the Lakers also renounced rights to some absolute legends and familiar faces: LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Dion Waiters, Luke Kennard, Marcus Smart, Maxi Kleber, Nick Smith Jr, Jaxson Hayes, Markieff Morris, Wayne Ellington, and Avery Bradley. Talk about a clean sweep! What does this really mean for Dudley? Not much for his current work, honestly. He's an established coach now, doing his thing in Denver. But it's that final, official dot at the end of a sentence for his playing career with the Lakers, a symbolic end to his player contract rights. It means the books are clean, and he's fully transitioned into his next chapter. We're looking forward to seeing what kind of impact he continues to make on the sidelines in the years to come. That championship DNA runs deep, and he's definitely bringing it to the coaching ranks!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.