NBA Rumors: Mavs 'Intent' on Keeping Jared Dudley on Kidd's Staff Amid Lakers Buzz

The Dallas Mavericks are "intent" on keeping assistant coach Jared Dudley a part of Jason Kidd's staff this offseason, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

Stein originally reported in May that Dudley was potentially a candidate for the Los Angeles Lakers if they hired JJ Redick. The Lakers finally did just that, with ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reporting Thursday that Redick agreed to a four-year contract.

Wojnarowski also pointed to the challenge that now lies ahead for Los Angeles. Redick has never had a high-level coaching job, so it's imperative to surround him with the right kind of assistants. Per Woj, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka is confident that "surrounding Redick with an elite coaching staff will help shorten his learning curve into his first coaching job."

Dudley spent 14 seasons in the NBA and immediately transitioned into coaching following his retirement in 2021. He signed on with Kidd and the Mavericks ahead of the 2021-22 season.

While the 38-year-old falls closer to the journeyman category than he was a star in the NBA, he shared a locker room with plenty of major names across the league. In a 2022 interview with Isaac Harris for the Mavs' official site, he relayed how there's much from his playing career he can draw upon as a coach.

"You take a little bit of everything," he said. "I think what will separate me from a lot of these coaches is the communication. If I can look LeBron in the face and tell him he's messing up and play better and call him out, then I can call anyone out. There is a certain way you must do it. It is a unique thing not all coaches have. I have hung out with 19-year-old Giannis, 20-year-old Booker…Nash 38, Shaq 37. I have range on how to talk to someone."

Dallas swingman Tim Hardaway Jr. echoed the ease with which Dudley can communicate with his players.

"What he sees out there on the floor is just like us as players," he said to Harris. "We can relate to him. He does a great job talking to us on the bench. Just his role and presence plays a huge role in our success."

Dudley has quickly built a strong reputation for himself on the bench. It's easy to see why the Lakers would possibly see him as a great fit with Redick.

The Mavericks won't let him go without a fight, however, based on Stein's reporting.