Jared Dudley believes he can make a positive contribution in familiar surroundings.
The Brooklyn Nets forward is interested in joining the Boston Celtics this summer as a free agent, The Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn reported Sunday, citing an NBA source. Dudley, 33, just finished his 13th NBA season and is expected to leave the Nets on July 1 when his contract expires. Washburn bolsters the Dudley to Celtics rumor by highlighting links between the player’s agent and the team he’d reportedly like to join.
“Also, he is represented by Mark Bartelstein, the agent for Gordon Hayward who has a strong relationship with Danny Ainge,” Washburn writes.
Dudley expressed interest in playing for the Celtics in 2016 but claims the Celtics “never contacted” him. He ultimately signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Phoenix Suns, who traded him to Brooklyn last offseason.
He averaged just 4.9 points and 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 20.7 minutes per game this season, but his tenacious defending and mentorship of younger teammates makes him more valuable than statistics might suggest.
Dudley played four seasons at Boston College between 2003 and 2007. The Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) selected him 22nd overall in the 2007 NBA Draft, and he has played for them, the Suns (two stints), the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks and Nets during his career.
