Former Suns forward Jared Dudley agrees to 3-year deal with Phoenix
Jul 1, 2016, 7:16 PM | Updated: 10:40 pm
Phoenix Suns forward Jared Dudley warms up before facing the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Denver on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jared Dudley is coming back to Phoenix.
Phx!!!!!!!!!!! I'm coming Home!!!!!!!!!!!! JMZ is back!!!!!!!!!!
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) July 2, 2016
Suns sign Jared Dudley 3 years 30 million
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) July 2, 2016
Dudley originally came over to the Suns in the Jason Richardson and Raja Bell trade in 2008. He went on to become a fan favorite in Phoenix, playing five seasons in the Valley before being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers as a part of the deal that brought Eric Bledsoe to Phoenix.
After one year in Los Angeles, Dudley played one season with the Milwaukee Bucks and the next with the Washington Wizards. He averaged 7.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game with Washington last season.
Dudley figures to play a pivotal role not only in the locker room alongside veterans Tyson Chandler and P.J. Tucker, but also as a mentor to the Suns’ two top-10 selections in this summer’s NBA Draft, Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss.
The 30-year-old was one of the first NBA players to stay engaged with fans through social media, specifically on twitter where he became known as “JMZ.” Dudley would provide his own post-game interviews with players and behind the scenes videos that only a player of a team could provide.
The league veteran is also known for being extremely adaptable with position changes. According to Vice Sports, Dudley went from playing 55 percent of his minutes at shooting guard in 2011-12, to 80 percent of his minutes at small forward from 2013 to 2015 and then played 93 percent of his minutes at power forward up to March with Washington last season.
The expected Dudley signing follows the loss of Mirza Teletovic to the Milwaukee Bucks, who was an unrestricted free agent following the 2015-16 season.
Prior to the NBA draft, the Suns had no power forwards on the roster. Now, one day into free agency, they have three. Jon Leuer, their other unrestricted free agent at the position, has not reportedly signed a deal with any team.
