LOS ANGELES — Jared Dudley is returning to the Los Angeles Lakers on a one-year, veterans minimum contract, his agent, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe.
The 35-year-old will earn $2.6 million in what will be his 14th season in the league.
Dudley appeared in 45 games for the Lakers last season, his first year with the team, and averaged 1.5 points and 1.2 rebounds. He also appeared in nine playoff games during the Lakers’ championship run.
Showing the good-natured sense of humor that made him a locker room favorite, Dudley reacted to the news on Twitter on Monday, a post that later drew praise from LeBron James.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 YESSIR!!!!!! https://t.co/1uoMsUmBve
— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 1, 2020
Apart from bringing a career 3-point percentage of 39.3% and 42 games of postseason experience to the mix, Dudley became an important part of the Lakers’ team culture last season by organizing dinners and gatherings on the road and serving as a mentor to Kyle Kuzma.
The Lakers now have 13 players under contract for next season, with Anthony Davis expected to occupy one of the final two spots once he signs an extension with the team.