Brooklyn Nets rumors: Jared Dudley has interest in return to Boston

The offseason Brooklyn Nets rumors are already starting to percolate, with a report that veteran Jared Dudley could be looking at the Boston Celtics.

The NBA Playoffs are in high gear with the conference semifinals under way, but the Brooklyn Nets rumors for the offseason are already flying.

On Sunday, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe reported that Nets forward Jared Dudley, an unrestricted free agent this summer, could be eyeing a return to Boston, this time with the Boston Celtics.

"Former Boston College swingman Jared Dudley, who enjoyed a solid bounce-back year for the Brooklyn Nets as a team leader, agitator and 3-point shooter, is interested in returning to his college city to play for the Celtics, according to a league source."

Dudley, a San Diego native, played four years at Boston College from 2003-07, culminated by earning All-America honors and being named the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year as a senior for the Eagles.

His time at Boston College was during the program’s move from the Big East to the ACC, allowing Dudley the rarity of being an all-conference performer in two conferences during his career.

During exit interviews last week, Dudley had high praise for the Brooklyn organization, per Tom Dowd of NBA.com.

"“You never get to know about an organization until you actually play for it. First thing I noticed, getting traded, when you have your GM sending flowers to your wife and your mother and just more athletic gear of just wanting to be part of a family and what they did in training camp, it was very rare.“I’ve actually never had that when it comes to just being, including the family members when it came to that. And then just the culture they brought here. I think for one it starts with the training staff. I think they have 30 people on staff, which on most NBA teams is six or seven. You get it from all over.”"

Dudley averaged 4.9 points and 2.6 rebounds in 20.7 minutes per game, shooting 42.3 percent overall and 35.1 percent on 2.6 3-point attempts per game. That 3-point shooting was his lowest mark since his rookie season in 2007-08 and he is a career 39.2 percent shooter from deep.

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He took on a central role in the playoffs for his comments on Philadelphia 76ers All-Star Ben Simmons, calling Simmons “average” in half-court situations.

The beef extended into Game 4 of the series against the 76ers, when Dudley was ejected after shoving Philadelphia center Joel Embiid. Embiid had committed a hard foul — later ruled a Flagrant 1 — against Brooklyn center Jarrett Allen and had also thrown an elbow at Allen in Game 2.

Dudley emerged as a veteran voice for the Nets and became a favorite of coach Kenny Atkinson for his leadership and ability to move the ball quickly. Dudley also was a better-than-advertised defender, compensating with guile and experience to be in the right place at the right time.

Having just completed his 12th season, Dudley could be looking to potentially chase a title shot.

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For all his experience, Dudley has played in the postseason just four times and has only advanced beyond the first round twice, including a Western Conference Finals appearance with the Phoenix Suns in 2010.

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