Editor’s note: This story has been updated.
If the NBA allowed coaches and front-office members to play games, the Mavericks just might be a contender.
League veteran Jared Dudley will join Mavs head coach Jason Kidd’s staff as an assistant, he confirmed via Twitter. The Athletic’s Shams Charania first reported the news.
“I been preparing for this moment for a long time,” Dudley said. “Very excited to join the Mavs and J-Kidd’s staff! Perfect fit and opportunity.”
Worked out with you yesterday as a player, now today you’re my coach 😂🤷🏽♂️ #MFFL https://t.co/4Fm4QlH1I8
— Josh Green (@JoshBGreen) August 24, 2021
His addition further round’s out Kidd’s staff, which includes former Detroit assistant Sean Sweeney, former Kings and Lakers assistant Greg St. Jean and Igor Kokoskov, who coached Luka Doncic and the Slovenian national team to the 2017 EuroBasket title.
Dudley, a 14-year NBA veteran who played for seven different teams, is the latest former player to join the Mavs organization.
It started when Dallas hired former franchise player Dirk Nowitzki to be a special adviser to the team. Shortly after, the Mavs hired Kidd, the point guard of their 2011 championship team, to replace Rick Carlisle, the coach of that same team, earlier this offseason. Another member from the 2011 team, J.J. Barea, is also joining the Mavs in a yet to be determined role. He was also seen with the Mavs’ summer league team. The Mavs also added two-time WNBA champion Kristi Toliver as an assistant coach.
Former Mavs guard Michael Finley, who was already with the organization, saw his role expand as he was officially named an assistant general manager to new GM Nico Harrison.
Dudley, 36, has spent the last two seasons playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, during which Kidd was an assistant coach for the team. Kidd and Dudley were a part of the Lakers 2020 championship team in the bubble. Dudley appeared in 45 games that season, shooting 43% from 3-point range.
Lakers star LeBron James took to Twitter to congratulate Dudley and voice his disappointment in losing him.
“Congrats to my guy if this is true, which it probably is,” James said via Twitter. “But man!! [Expletive]! Excuse my language, but [this] one hurt! For many reasons that you wouldn’t understand.”
As a player, Dudley made a name for himself as a 3-point specialist, shooting 39% from deep for his career. He shot over 40% from 3-point range four times during his career, including a career-best 46% with Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns during the 2009-10 season.
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