NBA Rumors: Lakers Reach Agreement With Forward, Rivals Sign Replacement

Los Angeles Lakers have strengthened their frontcourt presence by adding veteran Jared Dudley on a minimum one-year deal worth $2.6 million. The forward’s agent confirmed to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Lakers have been quiet this free agency as they continue to wait for Kawhi Leonard to make his decision with regard to his next destination. The 2019 NBA champion is deciding whether to re-sign with Toronto Raptors or return home to Southern California and join one of the Lakers or the Clippers.

Rob Pelinka won the race for Anthony Davis, who arrived via trade from the New Orleans Pelicans but in the process, the Lakers lost a number of young players from their roster. They are looking to add a third star in free agency but will also have to fill out their roster to improve bench strength.

Dudley averaged 4.9 points and 2.6 rebounds on 42.3 percent shooting for the Brooklyn Nets last season while starting 25 of the 59 games he played. The soon-to-be 34-year-old has played with six franchises in his 12 NBA seasons after being picked 22nd overall in the 2007 NBA Draft.

The veteran forward will provide a strong rotation off the bench for the Lakers, who lost a number of their young core – Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart – as part of the Davis trade. Dudley joins 27-year-old shooting guard Troy Daniels, who according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, also signed a one-year deal worth $2.1 million.

Meanwhile, the Nets have not wasted time after losing Dudley to the Lakers and have agreed a veteran minimum deal with Wilson Chandler. The forward, who spent last season with Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers, will be paid $2.6 million and will complement the star additions of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.

However, the Lakers’ main focus will be on Leonard, who is the only elite free agent yet to make his decision. The purple and gold are said to be the front-runners but there are insiders also claiming that he could sign a 1+1 deal with the Raptors and enter free agency again in 2020.