OFFICIAL: Mavs Sign Intriguing Young Forward to Two-Way Contract

The Dallas Mavericks officially announced on Thursday that they have signed free agent forward Kessler Edwards to a Two-Way contract.

Edwards, 23, brings three years of NBA experience to Dallas, having spent time with both the Brooklyn Net s and Sacramento Kings . Over his career, the 6-8 forward has averaged 3.5 points in 11.9 minutes per game.

A second-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Edwards possesses intriguing physical tools that caught the eye of the Mavs' brass. His 8-10 standing reach and 7-0 wingspan provides the length and versatility that head coach Jason Kidd covets in his defensive schemes.

Coming out of Pepperdine, Edwards was lauded for his 3-point shooting ability and defensive potential. While his shooting hasn't fully translated to the NBA level yet (career 35% from three), the Mavericks likely see him as a developmental project who could grow into a valuable 3-and-D role player.

Edwards' college scouting report highlighted his ability to defend multiple positions, showcasing the lateral quickness to switch onto perimeter players while also providing weak-side rim protection (1.3 blocks per game in college). This defensive versatility could prove valuable for a Mavericks team looking to improve on that end of the floor.

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As a Two-Way contract player, Edwards will split time between the Mavericks and their G League affiliate, the Texas Legends. This arrangement allows Dallas to continue developing Edwards' game while providing emergency depth for the NBA roster.

The addition of Edwards represents a low-risk, potentially high-reward move for the Mavericks. If he can refine his shooting stroke and translate his defensive potential to the NBA level, Edwards could become a valuable rotation piece for a Dallas team with playoff aspirations.