Coach’s Corner: Breaking Down Mavs’ New Two-Way Signing

Kessler Edwards, who officially signed a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, might be the most intriguing Two-Way contract player the team has had since Two-Way contracts were created by the NBA.

Edwards’ physical attributes and playing style have drawn comparisons to former Mavs fan favorite Dorian Finney-Smith. Edwards shares a similar build, standing at 6-8 with a 7-0 wingspan, which, combined with his mobility, allows him to guard multiple positions effectively.

Edwards, a three-year standout at Pepperdine University, was the 44th pick in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft. While Finney-Smith was undrafted, the two share a commonality in that they’ve both had to surpass expectations and overcome a great deal of doubt to secure their spots in the league. Interestingly, Edwards is now the same age, with two years of experience, as Finney-Smith was when he joined the Mavericks as a rookie undrafted free agent.

Offensively, Edwards specializes as a catch-and-shoot player, but he has also demonstrated a high basketball IQ, making timely cuts and movements off the ball. His awareness and understanding of positioning make him a valuable asset on the court. Additionally, Edwards also has a sneaky good post-up game, capable of exploiting mismatches when switched onto smaller defenders.

While Edwards isn’t a primary creator off the dribble, he possesses a reliable one-dribble pull-up jumper that he uses to get to mid-range shots. This versatility in his offensive arsenal, combined with his defensive prowess, makes him a notable prospect for the Mavericks.

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Edwards brings a unique combination of skills and physical attributes to the Mavericks, making him, at the very least, an interesting two-way prospect to keep an eye on. His defensive versatility, offensive awareness, and ability to guard multiple positions draw parallels to Finney-Smith, suggesting he could fill a similar role for Dallas at some point in his career.

While his game continues to develop, Edwards' potential impact on both ends of the floor could land him in the Mavs’ rotation sooner than expected should wing depth become an issue. The Mavs obviously hope it doesn’t get to that point this coming season, as that would mean the team has endured several injuries, but over the course of an 82-game season, you never know.