Jared Dudley is exactly the kind of veteran that the Sixers should be aiming to bring in this offseason. He’s not flashy. He’s not going to take over a game for you. But the 30-year-old Boston College Alumni is and always will be a great three point shooter.
Dudley has bounced around to six different teams over the course of his nine year career, and everywhere he’s went, he’s made an impact. Hardly ever a full time starter, Dudley has made his living coming off the bench for each and every team he’s been a part of. Since 2009 his yearly three point field goal percentage has never dropped below 38 percent. That kind of consistency makes you a hot commodity in the NBA because every franchise needs shooters. Jared Dudley knows that himself…
I'm career 40% from 3 buddy! And every team I've ever played on would want me back https://t.co/qWAzaqH8Vj
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) June 13, 2016
Leadership is another area where Dudley can really offer his expertise to a young Sixers squad. I highly doubt Bryan Colangelo wants Carl Landry to be his lone veteran like he was this past season so you can fully expect him to covet some players that have a multitude of experience like Dudley.
An important aspect of Jared Dudley as a free agent that makes him different than a lot of vets is that he doesn’t seem to have an overwhelming desire to be on a winning team. Many players hit the 30-year-old mark and start wanting to position themselves to win a ring before their career is over, but Dudley hasn’t been that guy. He’s recently been traded to teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards making no fuss about it. He just does his job and rightfully collects a hefty paycheck.
Jared Dudley won’t command the kind of salary that Fournier and Crabbe will, but that doesn’t mean he’s off the hook when it comes to getting overpaid. There will be a myriad of teams that have Dudley on their radar and it could very well come down to who is willing to give him the most money. Dudley has been making under $5 million a year for his entire career so perhaps his number one priority will be to cash in one last time while he has the chance.
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July 1st is just around the corner Sixers fans! Free agency will be an integral part of this team’s success going forward, and it all starts with landing a shooter or two to support Ben Simmons. If the Sixers can provide their new franchise player with adequate help in 2016, they could set themselves up to make an even bigger splash in 2017.