The Brooklyn Nets traded Kessler Edwards (with cash) to the Sacramento Kings for David Michineau at the trade deadline last season. For all intents and purposes, this was a salary dump and roster-spot-opening move for the Nets, and a low-risk attempt by the Kings to find some defense and length on the wing. The free cash didn’t hurt, either.
The trade came at what was probably the most controversial stretch of the season for a Kings team that was riding high all year. The Beam Team had some obvious weaknesses heading into the deadline (those weakness proved deadly in their first round playoff exit vs. the Warriors) and with rumors swirling about a potential Mason Plumlee or Matisse Thybulle acquisition, the fact that Monte McNair walked away from the deadline with just Kessler Edwards was met with some disappointment.
But once you got over who Kessler Edwards wasn’t, and watched him play out there with the squad, I thought he performed pretty well in his limited role.
Edwards appeared in 22 games for the Kings last season, averaging 3.9 points on .435 shooting from the field and .349 shooting from 3 to go along with 1.0 assists, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.5 steals. The 22-year-old forward never tried to do too much for what was already an excellent offensive team, but his energy on defense and the glass was enough for Mike Brown to trust him with a regular rotation role pretty quickly.
The Kings were 12-10 in those 22 regular-season Kessler Edwards appearances.
Then the playoffs started, and Edwards was nothing but a garbage time player for Coach Brown. With shortened playoff rotations, that wasn’t a particularly shocking development to start, but considering how many players on this squad totally fell apart against the Warriors, I was a little surprised Brown never gave Edwards an opportunity.
I don’t know if Edwards changes anything. I’d bet he doesn’t. But when you’ve got several guys out there who are just not getting it done, more adjustments would have been welcomed. Brown’s loyalty to the players most responsible for ending the playoff drought never wavered. To me, that is both understandable and a fair second-guess.
Looking forward, Edwards has a $1.9 million team option for next season with a June 29th deadline, so we’ll have a better idea of his future in Sacramento in a couple of weeks. I’m rooting for him to stick around. He’s not a reliable 3-and-d wing yet, but after a handful of games in Sacramento, $1.9 million feels like a fair price to pay to keep him around for another year of development, and hopefully find out what you’ve really got.
The energy is there. The athleticism is there. The size is there. The defense appears mostly there. But can he shoot the 3 consistently? Can he develop enough of an offensive game where opposing teams won’t completely ignore him? Those questions still need to be answered.
Considering whoever the Kings potentially take at #24 will be guaranteed 2 years staring at $2.3M, Edwards at one year for $1.9M seems like a no brainer. He’s a prototypical NBA wing that the league covets, so guarantee the deal. He’s not clogging up any roster spots so at worst he’s filler in trade or you simply cut him down the road.
Kick the tires on another season.
I wouldn’t say keeping him is a no-brainer. Add $1.9M to $2.3M, and the sum of $4.2M might be the difference between adding Vezenkov, or another FA McNair thinks will crack the top of the rotation. Monte may need to trim the payroll as far as possible to attract his favorite target. I definitely would like to see him grow as a player in a Kings jersey but, he’s likely 10-12 in the current rotation, and therefor cannot be treated as a salary-cap priority. He could be replaced on the roster with a 2nd rounder, or two-way player (maybe someone undrafted,) in order to save that space.
I think I’ve got the CBA right here, not sure. I’m thinking, as long as he’s signed after using all FA cap money, then he’ll count against the tax threshold/apron, but not against the cap. I don’t know when his option expires, but I guess that plays in. You’ve shown a good understanding of the rules in the past, maybe you can clarify.
there’s no issue with team salary this year. he can D up guys like Booker and Ant Man. keep him for another year.
Just keep him. He’s worth it.
I would keep him. Real cheap compared to most “keeps”.
Kings have flexibility in roster- 6 players can be released- Delly, TD, Metu, Len, Dozier, Lyles, HB and even Q and Ellis. So there is some space.
Sasha wants 10 M ( too high) and the Kings have sights on an offer of 4 M or so. He fits into one of the exceptions. I would sign Lyles, resign Ellis and probably HB unless a hugely beneficial sign and trade could be worked out. I would trade Holmes if at all possible. That leaves space- there are 3 draft picks and 4 if Sasha is included. I doubt Monte keeps all. The 2 way contracts are increased to 3. Kings will not want more than 2 first year guys on the main roster. The issues of rim protection, DS back up, length at the 3-4 and a 5th larger guard will not all be solved this year. Dependent on the draft which is all over the place – the slots between 15 and 40 are eye of the beholder, Kings could address some of those issues. Then FA comes into play- what is missing? .
Not a great FA class but Naz Reid, Oubre and Yuta Watananbe are all interesting. Yuta is a bigger Kessler. Maybe only need one of those.
So many teams with new coaches, so many teams with “win now” that there are bound to be deals out there for guys who “don’t fit” the new regime.
I am not disappointed at “missing ” on Plumblee and Thybulle.
keep him for that price! For sure!! There’s literally zero downside in retaining him. Worst case scenario is he gets cut. And? . . .
That’s is so very much “worth the gamble” when it’s only 1.9 mil to find out.
I love Edwards before he came to Sac, and was still pleasantly surprised with him. He was a net positive. I’m hardly sure Thybulle would be, and I’d rather have Alex Len than Plumlee.
I like Edwards also. For what you are getting price wise between Thybulle and Edwards and Edwards is a better offensive player and only 22 I’ll take Edwards. As with Len and Plumlee Plumlee has been a starter for the Hornets for some time is a really good rrbounder with a good BBIQ. I wold take Plumlee with no more than 2 years because of his age. If it works out you could extend.
I think we should target Moritz Wagner. He is sneakily good at the elbow. He can score and pass from the elbow. Decent defender in space as well.
I still can’t believe he didn’t get any burn in the playoffs. For as frustrating as it was having Off Night on the bench that final game, I think Kessler could have had a similar impact – at least comparable to TD and likely more impactful in my opinion, yet never got the opportunity. Definitely keep him around for another year to see what he’s really got.
Really surprised Edwards didn’t get any burn during the playoffs especially how well he played during the regular season. Hopefully Monte keeps him for next season and with a full training camp, hope he gets the opportunity to be on the rotation full time even if its just around 10-15 mins per game.
I am a Kessler Edwards fan.
When he was subbed in on the Phoenix game and significantly slowed down Devin Booker, he impressed me.
In the time following he continued to contribute worthwhile minutes as a defensive stopper and hit a few 3 pointers as well. He also seemed to be a plus rebounder.
Is he Matisse Thybulle. on D? Josh Okogi? Dorian Finney-Smith? Reggir Bullock? No, but he looks to fit the pattern of that type of player. I’d like to see him drive and mid-range jumper more on offense, and foul less on defense- but he looks to have the tool box and the skills but needs sharpening.
He’s a keeper by my fan level eyes.
Kings second best defensive player this year IMO. I’d keep him around for $1.9M and call it a value contract. There’s a chance he improves, making the deal that much more favorable.
IMO, it’s another no-brainer like keeping Queta. For a team that needs defense and reliable wing play, you could do a whole lot worse than Kessler and he’s most likely also the cheapest option around. He’s proven capable of holding his own, still developing his game, willing to work hard on D, and he’s not a total blackhole on offense – not bad for a inexpensive young wing in the 10-12 rotational spot.
Also, not all good defenders are created equally. Edwards is the team’s best jump-shooting defender, while Mitchell is the team’s best on-ball defender and Q is the team’s best rim protector. Give Edwards a full off-season and I believe he takes TD’s minutes next year (considering TD moves on).
As a member of the board of the Kessler Edwards fan club, I hope he stays.
He’s shown enough in less than half a season to see he belongs. His defensive instincts, both on and off the ball are good, especially compared to the rest of the roster. He also rebounds and has shown some flashes offensively. Obviously he needs work on that end of the floor, but the Kings should be able to develop him a bit at age 22.
I’d rather Edwards as a defensive specialist than that Okpala (no offense, KZ, I just knew you weren’t going to shoot the ball and so did the rest of the NBA.) Edwards has some Doug Christie to his game, gives you a little bit of everything and can put the ball in the basket, especially if you’re sleeping on him.
Unless your rounding out your roster with championship chasers (I’m looking at you, Bradley Beale,) Edwards should absolutely have a spot on the roster going into next year.
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