Kyle Kuzma
In this picture, Kyle Kuzma #0, and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers react during a timeout in the fourth quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Barclays Center on December 18, 2018 in New York City. Sarah Stier/Getty Images

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.

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.

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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