Jared Dudley: LeBron & AD wanted me back, but couldn’t convince the management

[SUPERVILLAIN]

“I thought I was coming back to the Lakers,” said Dudley, 36, in a phone interview. “This is crazy.”

It’s so crazy, none other than LeBron James went crazy, expressing his disbelief on Twitter after hearing the news.

“Congrats to my guy if this true, which [it] probably is! But man!! F—,” tweeted James, later adding, “Excuse my language but still one hurt!! For many reasons you wouldn’t understand.”

James loves him. Anthony Davis loves him. Russell Westbrook wanted him. Overtures by all three were made to the front office. Dudley could have filled one of the three remaining available roster spots. He could have joined the coaching staff. He would have been relatively cheap. They could have cut him anytime.

Yet Rob Pelinka and Kurt Rambis wouldn’t make room.

While Pelinka was unavailable for comment, Laker officials wanted to convey their deepest respect and admiration for Dudley, who they said will always be part of the Lakers family.

It appears they didn’t want him as a player because they felt that, with their aging team, they need youthful depth. They apparently never discussed the possibility that he would retire and become a coach.

“Obviously LeBron and AD wanted me back,” said Dudley. “But we just couldn’t convince them.”

https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2021-08-26/lakers-failure-to-retain-jared-dudley-is-a-massive-loss-for-the-franchise?_amp=true#click=https://t.co/HI2l8cVHbl

[Dez]

If LeBron and AD really wanted him then he'd be there still.

Shut up Jared.

[zimpy27]

Not possible, LeBron is the GM of the Lakers

[Darthlukey]

“I thought I was coming back to the Lakers,” said Dudley, 36, in a phone interview. “This is crazy.”

It’s so crazy, none other than LeBron James went crazy, expressing his disbelief on Twitter after hearing the news.

“Congrats to my guy if this true, which [it] probably is! But man!! F—,” tweeted James, later adding, “Excuse my language but still one hurt!! For many reasons you wouldn’t understand.”

James loves him. Anthony Davis loves him. Russell Westbrook wanted him. Overtures by all three were made to the front office. Dudley could have filled one of the three remaining available roster spots. He could have joined the coaching staff. He would have been relatively cheap. They could have cut him anytime.

Yet Rob Pelinka and Kurt Rambis wouldn’t make room.

While Pelinka was unavailable for comment, Laker officials wanted to convey their deepest respect and admiration for Dudley, who they said will always be part of the Lakers family.

It appears they didn’t want him as a player because they felt that, with their aging team, they need youthful depth. They apparently never discussed the possibility that he would retire and become a coach.

“Obviously LeBron and AD wanted me back,” said Dudley. “But we just couldn’t convince them.”

https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2021-08-26/lakers-failure-to-retain-jared-dudley-is-a-massive-loss-for-the-franchise?_amp=true#click=https://t.co/HI2l8cVHbl

Lol, Dudley still helping to portray a false image even after you got dumped

[SUPERVILLAIN]

Not possible, LeBron is the GM of the Lakers and the league

This. This is exactly why I started this topic.

LEbR0n i5 Th3 GM.

Y'all stupid.

[Secret Lover14]

“Chasing that farewell tour, they don’t love you like that. You can’t get no farewell tour. They don’t love you like that … You thought you was Udonis Haslem.”

[Dr Aki]

that's sad

dudley was the one that sealed the deal at the dinner between lebron, AD and westbrook

[trickshot]

Lol Lebron and AD def didn't care. Probably just told him that to avoid an awkward phone call. Looks like everyone that didn't give reliable production is expendable.

[JN61]

It's not like Dudley would have added to the team. Lakers were better off by not signing him I reckon.

[Pennebaker]

As if LeBron and AD tried hard to convince management.

[Pennebaker]

As if LeBron and AD tried hard to convince management.

If Bron and AD put their feet down they could've had Dudley back but they didn't take it to that level.

[Jedi32]

Nah Bron , AD, and Dudley were tight. I'm sure they wanted him back. Management had other plans.

[MrBigShot]

A little awkward when your selling point to convince management to re-sign you has nothing to do with actually playing basketball, not really much of a big deal either way whether he stayed or not.

[God Squad]

This guy man lol. They can find a cheerleader elsewhere, and maybe they'll actually contribute.

Wins championship with Lebron and thinks he's this invaluable piece to the puzzle.

[JayMKE]

I feel bad for the team that Lebron eventually does buy

[heezyo2o]

Chemistry was great the championship season, but even with Dudley there last season, the chemistry wasn't the same. Chemistry and camaraderie is more than Dudley. I don't see it as loss at all....though with Dudley gone, I'm more up for bringing Rondo back for some leadership even though I think he's done

[God Squad]

Dudley wanted that Udonis Haslem lifer contract.

[DroseReturnChi]

lebron sucks man. lakers was a superteam short of a title bc of losing dudley.

[GiannisAnte34]

this is really reaching to prove LeBron doesn't have GM type influence on his team. we have a mountain pile of evidence to the contrary

[SUPERVILLAIN]

Nah Bron , AD, and Dudley were tight. I'm sure they wanted him back. Management had other plans.

Yep. LeBron is legit tight with Dudley.

Dudley appears pretty often in LeBron's IG story. They are in the same circle. They hang out together.