Lakers Owner Reportedly Primary Reason Key Player Didn’t Return to Team

Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss put together an excellent team for the 2021-22 NBA season. The front office made a few big moves in the offseason and a lot of new players joined the storied franchise. Unfortunately, some of the players had to go. Jared Dudley won’t play with the Lakers anymore. Why? He wanted to spend one more season in LA. Instead of doing so, he became a coach for the Dallas Mavericks.

Dudley had a key role with the Lakers but they let him go. NBA fans couldn’t believe that he planned to leave the franchise. The Athletic reported that Jeanie Buss forced Dudley out of the team.

Lakers owner Jeanie Buss has something to do with this

Why did Dudley leave the team?

“In the midst of this flurry of changes, the Lakers also declined to retain another constant: Dudley, who had been a presence in the Lakers recruiting efforts.

“He didn’t get a contract to be a part of the team and the move had everything to do with the pressure applied to the front office by Buss. Each and every roster spot needed to be filled by players who could help on the floor, especially during another season impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Every personnel choice, it seemed, would be made with the shared goal of surrounding James, Davis and Westbrook with talent that could truly help with the latest title contention. And not only was Dudley 36, but also he had been unable to help when it mattered most last season after tearing his medial collateral ligament in mid-March.

“At the end of the season, sources said, the Lakers did have conversations with Dudley about other potential roles in the organization, including broadcasting, but ultimately he opted for a front-of-the-bench coaching position with Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks.”

Dudley won’t play with the Lakers in the upcoming season. The front office signed a group of talented players, including Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Trevor Ariza, and many others. Rajon Rondo and Dwight Howard made their way back and LA will now go after the title in the upcoming season.