{"id":79433,"date":"2024-05-29T22:19:48","date_gmt":"2024-05-30T02:19:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=79433"},"modified":"2024-05-29T22:19:48","modified_gmt":"2024-05-30T02:19:48","slug":"two-former-lakers-under-consideration-for-coaching-staff-jared-dudley-rajon-rondo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/05\/29\/two-former-lakers-under-consideration-for-coaching-staff-jared-dudley-rajon-rondo\/","title":{"rendered":"Two Former Lakers Under Consideration for Coaching Staff"},"content":{"rendered":"

While there are <\/span>no clear answers in the Lakers\u2019 head coaching search<\/span><\/a>, new reports revealed the names being considered for their assistant coaching roles, including two very familiar faces to fans of the purple and gold.<\/span><\/p>\n

Two Former Lakers Under Consideration for Coaching Staff<\/b><\/h2>\n

Background<\/b><\/h3>\n

After the Lakers met with current Pelicans assistant James Borrego, <\/span>LA Times beat writer Dan Woike<\/span><\/a> highlighted several candidates rumored to join the staff next season.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Rumors of the Lakers\u2019 staffing plans have run throughout the league during the past two weeks, with some names most commonly mentioned including former head coach Scott Brooks and assistants Sam Cassell and Jared Dudley. Cassell spoke to Pelinka about the Lakers\u2019 head coaching position during a video call prior to this week, according to a person with knowledge of the conversation. Ex-Lakers guard Rajon Rondo has also been under consideration.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Woike added that <\/span>Sam Cassell<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Jared Dudley<\/span><\/a> \u201c<\/span>could be in line for promotions within their current organizations<\/span>\u201d\u2014the Celtics and Mavericks, respectively. Former Lakers assistant Greg St. Jean, one of Frank Vogel\u2019s assistants from 2019 to 2021, is another name to watch. Borrego and Cassell are two <\/span>head coaching candidates<\/span><\/a> who could still join the team\u2019s bench if they don\u2019t earn the lead role.<\/span><\/p>\n

Former Players Returning as Coaches<\/b><\/h3>\n

Among the notable prospective hires are Dudley and <\/span>Rajon Rondo<\/span><\/a>, two highly-respected veterans who were part of the Lakers\u2019 last championship run in 2020.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jared Dudley<\/h4>\n

Dudley joined the Lakers in the last two seasons of his 14-year career. While he didn\u2019t see many minutes on the court, <\/span>much of his impact came off of it<\/span><\/a>. His leadership became crucial in the NBA Bubble:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>While the Lakers were kept away from the outside world, it was Dudley who was once again one of the loudest voices in the room, befriending the veterans, mentoring the young players and echoing the coaching staff\u2019s teachings while serving as the glue that helped the locker room stay together in an environment when we saw so many other teams splinter apart. He was arguably the perfect type of player to have at the end of the bench under these specific circumstances, and probably more key to the Lakers\u2019 success as a result than he would\u2019ve been during a normal year.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In his 2021 exit interview, <\/span>Dudley reflected on his role as a mentor<\/span><\/a>, ensuring the team\u2019s chemistry remained high:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>There were no problems these last few years since I\u2019ve been in the locker room. No beef, not any problems, just good chemistry. When we won the chip it was phenomenal chemistry. That\u2019s part of my job to make sure that happens. And if it doesn\u2019t happen, then it means I did a poor job.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Following his retirement, Dudley quickly eased into a coaching career, serving as an assistant under ex-Lakers assistant <\/span>Jason Kidd<\/span><\/a> for the past three seasons. His experience as a mentor and leader as both a player and coach has been critical for both the Lakers and Mavericks as of late. With these traits and more, the 38-year-old would be a valuable addition for whoever the Lakers decide to hire.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rajon Rondo<\/h4>\n

The 6\u20191\u201d floor general recently wrapped up a standout career in the NBA. Rondo\u2019s 16 seasons in the Association brought him two NBA titles\u2014one with the Celtics in 2008 and another with the Lakers in 2020. He also earned four All-Star appearances, four All-Defensive team nods, and spots on the 2012 All-NBA Third Team and 2007 All-Rookie Second Team.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ever since he hung up his jersey, fans have clamored for Rondo to get a shot at coaching in the NBA. LeBron James<\/a> has wondered why Rondo hasn\u2019t gotten into coaching yet, believing his former teammate simply doesn\u2019t want to do it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

LeBron mentions Rondo as one of the high IQ minds in this game<\/p>\n

LeBron: \u201cIt\u2019s very weird to me that he\u2019s not coaching\u201d pic.twitter.com\/KSpqbplzAm<\/a><\/p>\n

— \u00b2\u00b3\ud835\ude7b\ud835\ude8e\ud835\ude71\ud835\ude9b\ud835\ude98\ud835\ude97\ud835\ude8c\ud835\ude91\ud835\ude92\ud835\ude9d\ud835\ude92\ud835\ude9c\ud83c\udfc0\u2604\ufe0f\ud83c\udf0e\ud83d\udc9e (@BronGotGame) March 19, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n