Lakers News: NBA Veteran Addresses Role With Los Angeles, Calls Kyle Kuzma 'Key' For 2019-2020

Jared Dudley is one of six free agents that signed with the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, hoping to compete for a championship. The veteran took a minimum salary contract to play alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who form the league’s best duo ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season.

The Lakers’ additions of Davis, Danny Green and DeMarcus Cousins received the most attention, but Dudley expects to have a key role on the team.

I control the defense with my communication and I tell our PGs what plays to run by seeing the flow of the game and who needs the shots.. there’s a reason why I’m always atop the plus minus of my team. It’s the little things, screen to get guys open boxing out, if you only knew https://t.co/WM29ySNrX5
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) July 9, 2019

No, I do what is needed for me to do on certain teams.. That team was young and needed veteran guidance. Sometimes needed plays of ball movement to get the defense moving. With Vet teams with stars its about spacing and making sure the right people get the right shots https://t.co/i7Rl0m59UI
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) July 9, 2019

Dudley is a versatile defender, joining a team that had trouble stopping opposing offenses a year ago. Of the 95 players that qualified as small forwards for the 2018-2019 season, Dudley is one of just 27 that had a positive real plus-minus.

Dudley averaged 4.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 20.7 minutes per game for the Brooklyn Nets. He shot 35.1 percent from three-point range last year, though he’s a 39.2 percent career three-point shooter.

Dudley expects to be a locker-room leader with the Lakers. That includes mentoring Kyle Kuzma, who was Los Angeles’ second-leading scorer a year ago and will be the third scoring option behind Davis and James.

Facts! @kylekuzma is the _ https://t.co/tvz6ZaIuQ9
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) July 9, 2019

Kuzma averaged 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in his second NBA season. The Lakers’ front office made it a point to keep Kuzma instead of sending him to the New Orleans Pelicans in the trade for Davis.

The Lakers had been pursuing Kawhi Leonard in free agency to complete arguably the best trio in NBA history. With Leonard deciding to join the Los Angeles Clippers instead, Kuzma will shoulder even more responsibility next season in the Lakers’ quest for a title.

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