Fans will always cherish the Dallas Mavericks’ 2023–24 campaign and run to the NBA Finals, but some may not recall how close the team came to making a change that would have increased their chances of defeating the Boston Celtics.
Following a hectic trade deadline in which Dallas acquired Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington, the Mavs found themselves with a roster space available. They turned A.J. Lawson’s two-way contract into a conventional agreement after losing out on Spencer Dinwiddie, which made it possible for them to sign Alex Fudge to a two-way deal.
Fudge showed glimpses of his defensive potential while playing for the South Bay Lakers, but he never really made an impression with the Mavs. He only made two appearances, and he didn’t have the best G League season either. Although Fudge possessed the necessary skills, his time in Dallas and with the Texas Legends was never quite fulfilling.
Mavericks waive Alex Fudge to create space for Kessler Edwards to be signed.
Fudge participated in this year’s Summer League for the Mavs, but he failed to make an impression even though it appeared he could be able to earn a position on the team with a good performance. Dallas ultimately decided to fire Fudge on Thursday in order to officially announce an even more significant change.
Kessler Edwards was officially signed by Dallas on a two-way contract after Fudge was waived. Edwards, a summer acquisition for the Mavericks, is without a doubt among the greatest two-way players of the summer and has the potential to develop into a premier role player for the team in the future.
Edwards averaged 1.7 points per game and shot 41.5 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-point range for the Sacramento Kings in the previous season. Although Edwards’s function was never very constant, there was potential.
Edwards shares Fudge’s stature, standing at 6-foot-8 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, but he also possesses the technique to match. In addition to his impressive 3-point shooting, Edwards has occasionally demonstrated his ability to score off the dribble and finish at the rim or with a pull-up jump shot.
Edwards’ offensive skill set is developing, but his real revenue comes at the other end of the court. While playing for the Kings last season, Edwards was occasionally given difficult defensive assignments, and he was able to compete with some of the greatest players in the game.
Edwards is the epitome of a 3-and-D wing, being as adaptable as they come. Because of his speed, he can efficiently guard wings and some guards in open areas, and he makes things difficult for the person he is protecting.
Cutting Fudge probably means he won’t be coming back to the Mavs, but it did let them pull off an incredibly cunning signing of Edwards. He might wind up becoming a player the Mavs have for many years to come, and he might end up into Dallas’ rotation sooner rather than later.
One of the top two-way players in the NBA, Edwards may potentially get a conventional deal from Dallas if he performs poorly in the first half of the regular season. Given his skill, Edwards should never be on a two-way contract. The Mavs made a cunning move this summer by signing him to a two-way contract, which might pay them handsomely.
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