Mavericks Quietly Lose Another Key Piece as Kessler Edwards Heads to Denver
The Dallas Mavericks’ offseason exodus continues and this time, it’s one of the most quietly important players from last year’s rotation.
On Tuesday afternoon, Kessler Edwards officially signed a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets, per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. While the contract is an Exhibit 10 deal meaning Edwards will need to fight for a final roster spot during training camp it marks the end of a surprisingly impactful stint in Dallas and the start of a new opportunity in the Mile High City.
For Nuggets fans, Edwards represents a low-risk, high-reward swing: a long, switchable forward who can guard multiple positions, hit open threes, and embrace whatever role is asked of him. For Mavericks fans, it represents something else entirely the loss of a glue guy who, in many ways, was the duct tape holding a battered roster together last season.
A Versatile Force in a Season of Chaos
When Dallas signed Edwards last summer, the expectation was that he’d be a solid two-way contributor a depth piece with defensive upside and some floor-spacing ability. What they got was far more.
Edwards appeared in 40 games, starting 18, and posted career-best shooting numbers: 49.6% from the field and a scorching 40.7% from three. He averaged 4.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game, but the box score never truly told his story.
Injuries ravaged the Mavericks last season, forcing head coach Jason Kidd to get creative with his rotations. Edwards responded by playing anywhere and everywhere even suiting up at center when the situation demanded it. He wasn’t just filling space on the floor; he was guarding stars, stretching the court, and making timely plays that kept Dallas afloat during its roughest stretches.
Kidd knew his value too. As a two-way player, Edwards was only eligible for 50 active games, and the coaching staff had to strategically deploy him down the stretch to ensure he was available in key matchups. That kind of consideration is rarely reserved for “depth” pieces it’s saved for difference-makers.
Why Dallas Couldn’t Keep Him
In a perfect world, Edwards would still be wearing a Mavericks jersey. But roster math can be cruel.
The Mavs currently have 16 players signed to standard contracts, already needing to waive someone to officially bring in Dante Exum. Bringing back Edwards would’ve required cutting two players, a luxury the front office couldn’t afford.
Instead, Denver pounced, adding him to a roster already bolstered by Tim Hardaway Jr., Cam Johnson, and Bruce Brown a series of moves signaling the Nuggets’ determination to stay near the top of the Western Conference.
An Intriguing New Chapter
Edwards’ role in Denver is unlikely to mirror the minutes and responsibilities he enjoyed in Dallas, but his fit is undeniable. Playing alongside Nikola Jokić, the league’s best big man, and under a system that values defensive versatility, Edwards could become a perfect plug-and-play option off the bench.
His defensive length, ability to guard multiple positions, and improved shooting should make him a viable rotation piece if he earns his spot in camp. And while his name may not dominate headlines, these are exactly the kinds of players championship teams keep in their back pocket — the players who swing playoff games without ever needing a play drawn for them.
A Subtle But Significant Loss
For Mavericks fans, seeing Edwards in a Nuggets jersey will sting especially when Dallas and Denver meet in what promises to be high-stakes, high-drama matchups. Both teams boast elite big men Anthony Davis for Dallas, Jokić for Denver and both will be eyeing deep playoff runs.
The Mavs have already lost Spencer Dinwiddie to Charlotte and could see Kai Jones head to Miami. Now, with Edwards gone, another layer of their 2024-25 identity has been stripped away.
Edwards may not have been the loudest or flashiest member of last year’s squad, but he was the type of player winning teams need and the type of player you only truly miss once he’s gone.
As the Mavericks try to retool for another run in the brutal Western Conference, this quiet departure may end up speaking volumes.
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