Dallas Mavericks: Why Jared Dudley could be their most important acquisition

The Dallas Mavericks will be a mix of new and old this season. Owner Mark Cuban is still the team’s top dog, and their roster is virtually unchanged save for adding three role players, but the leadership is quite different. Donnie Nelson and Rick Carlisle both departed after nearly four decades combined with the franchise. Jason Kidd is now the head coach, and he brought virtually an entire new staff with him.

The Mavericks latest addition may prove to be the most important. Kidd convinced Jared Dudley to retire from playing and join his staff in a front of the bench role. Dudley has 14 years of experience in the NBA and a championship ring as he takes on his first coaching gig, but that does not tell the whole story of his impact on seven different franchises since joining the league in 2007.

In the last two seasons combined, Dudley played a total of 445 regular season minutes for the Los Angeles Lakers, but all the players wanted him back. The veteran provides things that are impossible to quantify to the stat sheet, and they are in areas the Mavericks have overlooked in recent years. Here is why Dudley’s intangibles have him in the running for Dallas's most important acquisition of the offseason.

Why Jared Dudley could be the Dallas Mavericks most important acquisition

LeBron James reacted to breaking news of Dudley joining the Mavs on Twitter with utter dismay. Warning, his tweets feature some explicit language.

Bill Plaschke dove deeper into the topic for the LA Times, where he describes the film sessions, leadership, and ability to manage personalities that makes Dudley special. No words sum up what he brings better than his own.

"“When people say I’m a locker room presence, my job was way more than a locker room presence. You’re a guidance counselor, a relationship expert… I’m the middle man that brings it all together.”"

Jared Dudley

Front offices do not always value that type of production, but it is a massive part of helping a team win.

Dallas Mavericks fill a massive hole by adding Jared Dudley to coaching staff

The 36-year-old veteran thought he would be back with the Lakers this season as they chased another championship. Dudley wanted to return. LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook all reportedly pushed management to bring him back, but the front office decided against it.

The Mavericks made the same mistake during training camp in 2020 when they let J.J. Barea go and kept Wesley Iwundu in their final roster spot. Dallas missed Barea’s ability to mend relationships, offer advice from the bench, and be a coach on the floor as Iwundu brought minor on-court production and was traded to the Pelicans at the deadline. Veterans matter more than their stats suggest.

James called Dudley a “diamond in the rough for a championship team” because of his ability to fill a lot of necessary roles. The Heat find value in this area as they continue to re-sign Udonis Haslem, despite him playing just 323 total regular-season minutes over the last five seasons combined.

Dudley brings his many hats to the front of the Mavericks bench this season. He becomes more important when considering Kidd’s coaching style. The Hall of Fame point guard is known for being hard on his players, and that will continue in Dallas. Not every player responds to that type of leadership, but Dudley could come in and mend the fences. He is likely the one working with role players and keeping everyone on the same page.

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic eyes chemistry and Jared Dudley could be the key

Luka Doncic had this to say during the press conference announcing his historic contract extension in Slovenia on Aug. 10.

"“I know we made some great moves in the free agency, but I think one of the most important things to win is the chemistry that the team has off the court. Like for example in Slovenia, we had amazing chemistry the whole time, and I think that led us to winning games, and I think that is what we need in Dallas.”"

Luka Doncic

Things were not always rosy for the Mavs last season. The Athletic detailed dysfunction at nearly every level, which was disputed by owner Mark Cuban. Regardless, the Mavericks did not have the type of chemistry Doncic desires, and it is an area where the new front office wants to make strides.

Jared Dudley is a chemistry improver. He is the type of guy that is well-liked by everyone that interacts with him, but the 36-year-old can still hold his teammates accountable for their mistakes. His quick transition from player to coach should help him gain respect and trust from the Mavs roster. Dudley’s people skills could improve the relationship between Luka and Kristaps Porzingis and help bring out the team’s joy in playing.

His addition to the Dallas Mavericks coaching staff is massive and should help the team as they attempt to take the next step this season. The 14-year NBA veteran will be able to connect with both the star and role players as he tries to improve everyone on the roster. Stay tuned to see how it all shakes out.