Lakers news: Jared Dudley had interest in playing for Celtics before signing with Los Angeles

Jared Dudley reportedly had interest in playing for the Celtics before he signed with the Lakers, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe.

Veteran small forward Jared Dudley reportedly had interest in playing for the Boston Celtics before he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe.

Dudley, who played with the Brooklyn Nets last season, signed a one-year deal with the Lakers this summer worth $2.56 million.

Dudley was interested in playing for the Celtics, but Boston refrained because it had enough wings and wanted to save its remaining roster spot.

Jared Dudley played his college basketball at Boston College, where he was the 2007 ACC Player of the Year.

Last season for the Nets, Dudley averaged 4.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 59 games while shooting 42.3 percent from the field, 35.1 percent from beyond the arc and 69.6 percent from the free-throw line. The 34-year-old will stretch the floor for the Lakers and provide solid veteran leadership in the locker room.

With Anthony Davis next to LeBron James, the Lakers are legitimate title contenders. General manager Rob Pelinka did a good job of surrounding Davis and James with shooters such as Dudley, Danny Green, Troy Daniels, Quinn Cook and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Dudley has career averages of 7.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 847 games with the Charlotte Bobcats, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards and Nets.