NEW YORK – End of the Road for Kessler Edwards with the Mavericks
Kessler Edwards’ time as a player on the Dallas Mavericks’ active roster has officially ended. The season was nothing short of a whirlwind for Edwards, who played as a two-way player for the Mavs this year.
Under NBA regulations, two-way players can only be on an NBA team’s active roster for a maximum of 50 games. This past Tuesday’s matchup against the New York Knicks marked the 50th game for Edwards on the Mavs’ active roster. Although his stats may not have been astonishing, he emerged as a vital contributor, especially when the team’s top three centers – Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II – were sidelined due to injuries.
Despite standing at only 6’7″, Edwards exemplified grit and determination, holding his own against opponents significantly taller than him. Guard Spencer Dinwiddie praised Edwards by stating, ‘We’re going to miss him. Obviously, he’s a great teammate with great vibes in the locker room and he did everything he could while he could.’
In 40 games played, Edwards averaged 4.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in approximately 15.1 minutes per game, starting 18 of those games. The young player expressed surprise at the amount of playing time he received, stating, ‘It’s been crazy – a lot of unexpected stuff, but it’s been a lot of opportunities as well.’
Edwards faced the challenge of playing the center position, a role relatively new to him since he typically plays as a small forward or power forward. ‘It was very different,’ he shared, acknowledging the support he received from teammates and coaches, which helped him adjust to the physical demands of the position.
Coach Jason Kidd highlighted Edwards’ evolution as a player, remarking, ‘He’s done everything we’ve asked and he’s improved, and he’s shooting the ball well.’ Not only did Edwards notch a solid performance at center, but his efforts did not go unnoticed by his teammates either, who expressed admiration for his contributions throughout the season.
Edwards remains hopeful for future opportunities within the NBA while reflecting on his time with the Mavericks. He concluded, ‘I’m just thankful that I got to play this much and even get the opportunity to run out of games.’
BRIEFLY: In other Mavericks news, Amauri Hardy, the older brother of guard Jaden Hardy, is currently playing for the Grand Rapids Gold in the Denver Nuggets’ G League. The Mavericks face competition for play-in spots in the Western Conference standings, contending with teams like the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings.’
