The long, slow summer before we can get back to Nuggets basketball continues, but Denver did make another camp addition, signing former Dallas Mavericks forward Kessler Edwards per Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype.
Vinny Benedetto of The Gazette confirms this is an Exhibit 10 deal – essentially a training camp invite that would become a league-minimum deal if Denver keeps him around into the regular season. It gives the Nuggets a nice long look at the 6’7 forward with the 6’11 wingspan. His deep shot is somewhat unorthodox but repeatable and he makes the ones he takes. Edwards has the wingspan and hustle to be a good defender, even if he occasionally gets a little lost. Three-and-D guys are in high demand for a good reason, and this gives the Nuggets a chance to investigate him in camp and see how he fits – and whether he could answer the call when needed.
With Spencer Jones on a two-way and Hunter Tyson in the last year of his deal, Denver is taking a hard look at that role of emergency defensive wing and floor spacer – which makes sense considering the number of games new starter Cam Johnson has missed the past few years as well as Peyton Watson’s still-growing game. Edwards stepped up for Dallas during the mid-season chaos for that team and gave them good minutes even when forced into starting duty in February and March. The Nuggets are always looking for players who can fill the role asked of them off the bench, and continue their efforts to make their bench for this season the strongest in years. In a few more weeks we’ll see if Kessler Edwards can hook on long-term to prove his ability to help them win a title.
