For now, Jared Dudley's coaching career will continue in Dallas.
The Mavericks assistant coach spoke to reporters on Monday explaining why he decided to stay with the team despite receiving interest from other NBA teams. Dudley joined Jason Kidd's coaching staff in 2021 after playing 14 seasons in the NBA.
“Now is not the time. First, I have unfinished business. Second, I have to wait for the right opportunity. I'm not leaving Dallas. My family loves it here,” Dudley said. “The right opportunity hasn't come yet for me to leave. I always tell people I'm in no rush. I'm not going anywhere for the money. I made a lot of money as a player and my intention is to get the right job and stay here, even if it's a year or two late.”
Dudley credited Kidd, general manager Nico Harrison and another key figure in the organization for his latest career choice.
Dudley, an assistant coach on the Mavericks team, spent his final two seasons as a player with the Los Angeles Lakers and worked closely with Kidd. Dudley also had previous ties to another Dallas assistant coach, Sean Sweeney, who was a candidate for the Detroit Pistons head coaching job.
Dudley likened Sweeney to a coach like Tom Thibodeau.
“I can learn from it,” Dudley said. “It just gives me an extra year to prepare for those jobs. By that time, J-Kid and them will want me to quit.”
According to NBA source Marc Stein, Lakers coach JJ Redick was interested in adding Dudley to his staff, but Dudley will stay put and serve as head coach of the Mavericks' summer league team in Las Vegas.
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