How two-way player Edwards has helped save Mavericks

Working on a two-way contract, Kessler Edwards wasn’t exactly expected by most people to be a heavy lifter for the Mavericks this season.

Most people were dead wrong.

The slender 6-8 forward-turned-center didn’t even envision what’s happened. But he’s not about to apologize for it.

“Just making the most of it,” Edwards said Thursday. “As a two-way player and not really expecting to be a part of the rotation on a championship (level) team. It’s more than I can ask for. I try not to take that for granted.”

Rest assured, the Mavericks don’t.

All Kessler has done is come in after injuries to Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, Dwight Powell and Anthony Davis and take the challenge of being the Mavericks’ center. It’s not exactly what he thought he’d be doing. The last time he played center was in high school, as best as he could remember.

Jason Kidd was asked just how he views what Edwards has been able to do for the Mavericks after spending virtually all of the first half of the season playing in the G League with the Texas Legends.

“If I was his agent, yes, I would give you the real answer,” Kidd said. “But when you look at what he’s done, he’s never complained, he’s done everything we’ve asked. And just being ready. Sometimes, if you’re going to get an opportunity and you’re not ready, it shows. But he’s stayed ready and it’s shown in a positive way.

“It was on him to do the work, understanding that he wasn’t going to play at some point. And with all the injuries taking place, he stayed ready and was up for the challenge.”

Edwards has literally saved the day for the Mavericks. With so many big men on the sidelines, he wasn’t the last resort. Just the only resort. And he may continue to be for the next couple weeks with only Powell getting close to returning.

Edwards figures to play another big role Friday when the Mavericks get back to business at American Airlines Center against the New Orleans Pelicans.

He has started six of the 26 games in which he’s played for the Mavericks and four of the last five before the All-Star break. The Mavericks went 4-1 in those games and Edwards averaged 5.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 22 minutes per game.

He also averaged 1.2 blocks, doing a pretty fair imitation of Lively as a rim protector on the defensive end.

“It’s been awesome,” the fourth-year pro said. “The opportunity to play with the Mavs, I was excited about that because of the year they just had. Kind of had a slow start with an (ankle) injury in training camp. Played in the G League. Then got to watch these guys through the first half of the season. And unfortunately those guys went down. It was my job to come in and hold it down.”

And hold it down, he has. He’s also another shining example of players who pay their dues, but remain ready if and when they get a golden opportunity.

“That’s the name of the game,” he said. “I’ve been in the G League for a couple years. And there and as a two-way, you got to be ready.”

Here’s what else to look for when the Mavericks play the Pelicans on Friday:

• Edwards should get a little help in the middle after the Mavericks on Thursday signed Moses Brown, a 7-2 center who has played with eight NBA teams including the Mavericks in 2021-22. He was signed to a 10-day contract to shore up the center position. ““I see it as a big opportunity,” Brown said. “They’re going to need size to be able to bang and to deal with the guys we’re playing against in these coming weeks and I’m here for it. I’m 100 percent ready. I played in the G League All-Star a couple days ago, so I was in San Francisco. And after that, I went to (his G League team) and I got a call from my agent and he informed me of the situation. And I headed out here. My expectation coming here was just to do what I do, play for my coaches and teammates, try to make a good impression and try to stay as long as I can.” Kidd said he’s noticed some changes in Brown since he played 26 games in 2021-22 with the Mavericks. “We know him,” he said. “We’ve had him before. He fits what we’re trying to do. He can protect the rim, can rebound. So we’re going to need him for these next 10 days.” And, most importantly, Brown is 7-2, something you can’t teach.
• P.J. Washington, who suffered a right ankle sprain Feb. 8 and missed the last three games before the All-Star break, returned to practice on Thursday and is questionable for Friday’s game. Dwight Powell, who strained his right hip on Jan. 17, participated in the non-contact portion of practice and is listed as doubtful for Friday.
• Also on the injury front, Anthony Davis, recovering from a left adductor strain suffered in his only game as a Maverick on Feb. 8 against Houston, will be re-evaluated in two weeks, the Mavericks announced. He’s making good progress, according to Kidd. “Right now, he’s doing great,” Kidd said. “He’s in the weight room and shooting on the court, so a lot of positive things for him. We’re all excited to see him back at work.” Also out against the Pelicans: Lively (ankle, stress fracture), Gafford (knee) and Caleb Martin (hip).
• The Pelicans have had some rough injury luck with offseason acquisition Dejounte Murray suffering a ruptured Achilles on Jan. 31, losing him for the season. Also gone for the season is defensive whiz Herb Jones (shoulder). Rookie Yves Missi out of Baylor is questionable with a right knee hyperextension.
• The Pelicans have the worst record in the Western Conference and lost 10 in a row before winning their final game before the All-Star break in overtime against Sacramento. But they do have Zion Williamson, C.J. McCollum and noted Maverick pain-in-the-neck Trey Murphy III, all of whom are averaging better than 22 points per game, although all have missed a substantial number of games.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (13-42) at DALLAS MAVERICKS (30-26)

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas.

TV: KFAA 29, MAVS TV STREAM.

RADIO: KEGL 97.1 FM, 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)

X: @ESefko