Kessler Edwards Exhausts Two-Way Eligibility in Mavericks' Loss to Knicks, Team Faces Roster Crunch

The Dallas Mavericks activated forward Kessler Edwards for Tuesday night’s matchup against the New York Knicks, marking his 50th active game of the regular season and exhausting his eligibility under his two-way contract.

Edwards started in place of Anthony Davis, who sat out the second half of Dallas’ back-to-back after returning from an adductor injury on Monday. Edwards logged 19 minutes in the Mavericks’ 15-point defeat to New York.

Since Davis’ injury on February 8, Edwards has significantly increased his production, averaging 8.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 17 games, including 15 starts. He has shot an efficient 53.8% from the field, 48.6% from the three-point range, and 90.0% at the free-throw line.

Dallas Mavericks Face Restrictions to Sign Kessler Edwards

Under NBA rules, a two-way player is limited to 50 active games during the regular season. Edwards, who has averaged 4.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 15.2 minutes per game over 40 appearances this season, has played a crucial role recently due to injuries in the Mavericks’ frontcourt.

However, due to salary cap constraints, the Mavericks cannot immediately promote Edwards to a standard contract. With only approximately $51,000 available under the first-apron hard cap, Dallas cannot fill its 15th roster spot until at least April 10, as signing a minimum-salary player carries a daily cap hit of nearly $12,000.

Edwards can continue practicing with the Mavericks despite reaching the 50-game limit. Dallas faces a roster crunch as fellow two-way players Brandon Williams and Kai Jones approach their limits. Williams has only two active games left, while Jones can appear in up to seven more games. Currently with a 35-38 record, the Mavericks have nine games remaining in the regular season.

Promoting two-way players to standard contracts at the season’s end is possible, but it would require the Mavericks to waive current standard contract players. That decision could depend significantly on the health of injured big men Dereck Lively II (right ankle stress fracture) and Daniel Gafford (right knee sprain), as well as Dallas’ position in the play-in tournament race.

If Dallas is eliminated from playoff contention, the team may prioritize long-term roster flexibility, potentially signing a player to a multi-year, team-friendly contract.