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Los Angeles Lakers Player Spotlight: Jared Dudley

By Zane Harris

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 23: Jared Dudley #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action against the Brooklyn Netsat Barclays Center on January 23, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 23: Jared Dudley #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action against the Brooklyn Netsat Barclays Center on January 23, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Jared Dudley may not have a huge role on the Los Angeles Lakers this season but still provides a crucial veteran presence that helps gel the team.

The next player that will be covered in the “Los Angeles Lakers Player Spotlight” series is Jared Dudley.

Biography

Jared Dudley spent four seasons in college at Boston College University. In his time with the Eagles, Dudley averaged 15.9 points and 7.2 rebounds a game. This was enough to make him the 22nd overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft to the Charlotte Bobcats.

After a season with the Bobcats, Dudley was traded to the Phoenix Suns. In his five-season with the Suns, Dudley played an essential role coming from the bench for the “seven seconds or less” Suns. The offense of this team was built upon playing at a fast pace and shooting threes. This was a role that Dudley thrived in as he has always been a sharpshooter.

After his time with the Suns, he was sent to Los Angeles in a deal with the Clippers that sent Eric Bledsoe to the Suns. Once the season with the Clippers concluded, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Around this time is when Dudley became an NBA journeyman, constantly being made a trade piece. The Bucks traded him to the Wizards. Then, he went on to sign back with the Suns. He spent two seasons with a rebuilding Suns team and after an injury, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets.

After a season with the Nets, Dudley signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he will likely end his professional career.

Strengths And Weaknesses

Dudley has had the same role his entire career. He is the perfect player to come off the bench and be a spark that brings both his teammates and the fans alive. He has also been a consistently efficient three-point shooter. In his NBA career, he has averaged 39% from three-point range. He is one of the most underrated shooters in NBA history.

Something else that has kept Dudley around the league so long and several teams wanting to have him on their roster is his ability to be great he is in bringing a team together. Jared is one of the best locker room players and extremely likable to teammates no matter which city he played in.

Weaknesses in Dudley’s game lie in his rebounding, playmaking, and defense. With him only standing at 6’6″ he has been undersized as a small forward and power forward. These are the positions that he has been listed at every season excluding one where he played shooting guard. This also is where some of the issues in his defense come from.

What He Brings To The Team

Being a veteran on the Los Angeles Lakers, Dudley is not asked to do too much on the court. However, when coach Frank Vogel does give him court time, Dudley has been someone who has been lights out from three.

Next. Player spotlight: Anthony Davis. dark

Also, with these limited minutes, it gives him the chance to play with full intensity when he is on the court. Off the court, Dudley is one of the key contributors to the Lakers being one of the most tight-knit teams and best locker rooms in the entire NBA.

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