Washington Wizards forward Jared Dudley is expected to miss the next three to four months after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disk.
A member of the Milwaukee Bucks last season, Dudley missed four games because of a sore lower back. The Wizards acquired Dudley this offseason in a trade with the Bucks.
"During our discussions with Jared and his agent, Mark Bartelstein, we were made aware that he played with pain for a significant part of last season due to this injury," Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said in a prepared statement Tuesday. "After jointly consulting with our team doctors and several specialists, we collectively determined that this proactive approach was the best course of action to have him ready for the upcoming season and to prevent the risk of further injury."
Dudley rebounded in Milwaukee following a disappointing stint with the Clippers, who dealt him to the Bucks in a cost-cutting move after the 2013-14 season. After shooting a career-low 43.8 percent with the Clippers, he shot 46.8 percent in his first season with the Bucks, though he averaged just 7.2 points per game.
Dudley's real value comes from his ability to defend multiple positions. When Milwaukee elected to go small, Dudley, who is 6-foot-7, would rotate from small forward to play power forward.
Dudley, 30, was expected to fill the void in the Wizards' lineup following Paul Pierce's free-agency departure.
"Although I'm disappointed that I won't be on the floor with my new teammates for the start of training camp, I'm confident that having this surgery now will allow me to perform at my best and contribute throughout the season," Dudley said in the statement. "I appreciate the patience and support of the organization, and I can assure my teammates and the fans that I will work extremely hard to be on the floor as soon as possible."
