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OKC Thunder 30 for 30 Part 3: Detailing forward Jared Dudley

ByLawrence George|
CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 23: Jared Dudley #3 of the Phoenix Suns argues a call with referee referee Gary Zielinski #59 during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on March 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 23: Jared Dudley #3 of the Phoenix Suns argues a call with referee referee Gary Zielinski #59 during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on March 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
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OKC Thunder target Jared Dudley
DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 29: Jared Dudley #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks to the sidelines during the third quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistonsd at Little Caesars Arena on November 29, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit defeated Phoenix 131-107. N (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Contract and Trade Scenario

2018-19 – $9,530,000
2019-20 – UFA

Dudley is on an expiring deal and enters Unrestricted Free Agency next season. His $9.5 million contract is a bit steep considering what he brings to the table but a trade is certainly possible. Depending on how much Brooklyn treasures his locker room voice, the OKC Thunder could send Alex Abrines and Kyle Singler to the Nets for Dudley.

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Abrines is a 25 year-old shooting guard and is a legitimate sniper from deep. Singler is nothing more than a veteran presence who offers little on-court. However, he could take-over Dudley’s role as a mentor. Both deals are expiring and doesn’t inhibit Brooklyn’s desire to chase free agents in 2019.

For Oklahoma City, Dudley fills a back-up power forward role behind Patrick Patterson and provides another stretch-four option. The Thunder also save close to $7 million dollars in salary and luxury tax payments.

Final Thought

Dudley would be an excellent addition should Oklahoma City trade for him. Not only does he add a veteran voice to a group full of young players, he offers a legitimate spot-up 3-PT threat and fills the back-up power forward role.

Sending Abrines to Brooklyn hurts Oklahoma City’s shooting at shooting guard but offloading his defensive deficiencies is a win since the Spaniard struggles against elite offenses. Moving Singler after three years of disappointment is another victory Thunder fans have been clamoring for years to happen.

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