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Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
2022 Free Agents - Kessler Edwards
Summary
After being selected in 44th in the 2021 NBA Draft, Edwards signed a two-way contract with the Nets and was one of the bright spots in a disappointing regular season for the Nets. Due to injuries and Covid absences, Edwards played in 45 games, started 23 games, and received over 900 minutes of non-garbage time, according to Cleaning the Glass. He operated as a low-usage wing playing next to the Nets's stars. While he struggled to finish at the rim, he did hit 36% from three - not quite as good as the 39.5% he hit during his college career at Pepperdine, but still solid. He plays hard on both ends, and has the size and athleticism to guard multiple positions.
The evolution in Edwards's game will need to come from his off-the-dribble game, as he really doesn't have much of that ability yet. He doesn't need to become a pick-and-roll operator or someone that you run isos for, but if he can more effectively attack hard closeouts and make a play when he has an advantage, that would help him in becoming someone that can be a legitimate rotation player on a good team, rather than just a regular season innings-eater. Edwards is still only 21 years old, so it's reasonable to expect some additional improvement.
Cap Considerations
Edwards has a $1.6 million team option for 2022-2023, and if the Nets decline this option he will be a restricted free agent with a $1.8 million cap hold, $1.8 million Qualifying Offer, and Non-Bird Rights. Using his Non-Bird rights, the Nets would only be able to offer a starting salary of $1.9 million.
However, if they decline his option it likely means that they would not have interest in re-signing him, as there would be no benefit to doing so versus just picking up the option. Therefore, if they decline his option they most likely will not give him a QO, and thus he would be an unrestricted free agent.
Other teams would then have multiple ways to sign Edwards as even teams without cap space could use any of the Non-Taxpayer MLE, Taxpayer MLE, Room MLE, or Bi-Annual Exception to sign him. If he hits free agency, Edwards would likely only have offers for the minimum.
Potential Teams: Nets, Jazz, Pacers, Kings, Bulls
Predicted Contract: Opt-In: $1.6 million
Actual Contract: 2-year, $3.6 million (2nd year team option) with the Nets
The Nets ended up opting out of Edwards' contract for '22-'23 and signing him to a new deal that includes a team option for '23-'24.
Last updated: 7/10/2022
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