Mavericks' new 3-and-D wing poised to eclipse fan-favorite youngster in rotation

The Dallas Mavericks have positioned themselves to be legitimate contenders once again upon the start of the 2024-25 NBA season, though as we know from seasons past, success is anything but guaranteed in the NBA. The Mavericks have completely filled out their 15-man roster after signing Spencer Dinwiddie to a one-year deal, as the Dinwiddie signing completed what is the best roster on paper to start a season for the Mavericks in years.

However, Dallas is still making moves around the margins to fortify the back half of their roster, as there are plenty of variables in a given NBA season that could drastically change the dynamic of Dallas’ best-projected rotation on paper. The Mavericks still have yet to sign veteran Markieff Morris to a new contract despite his return seeming inevitable, as Mavericks third-year guard A.J. Lawson seems to be the most likely candidate to get cut in order to open up a roster spot for Morris.

The Mavericks also have another two-way spot to fill out as well as some training camp invites to send still, so they must try and bring in the best pool of young talent possible in these slots, as the importance of moves around the fringes like this cannot be undermined.

Kessler Edwards has the skill to pass Olivier-Maxence Prosper in rotation

Even if Dallas’ two-way players may not see the floor much at all this season, there’s also a chance that they end up panning out into a high-level role player like Sacramento’s Keon Ellis did last season for instance, so the Mavericks have to operate intelligently with who they select as their two-way players.

Dallas’ most recent two-way contract signing of Kessler Edwards certainly tracks more along the notion of taking their two-way slot seriously, as Edwards is 6-foot-8 and is a versatile 3-and-D wing who may even be able to help the Mavericks out this coming season if given the right opportunity.

Edwards barely saw the floor in 54 games with the Sacramento Kings last season, but he showed promise as a rotation player when he was in Brooklyn and has played very well in the G League the past two seasons, so he might be a candidate to surpass Olivier-Maxence Prosper in Dallas’ rotation given that they play the same position and Prosper hasn’t been able to showcase much progress in regards to the development of his offensive game recently.

Edwards is a more polished offensive player than Prosper by far, as he’s a better 3-point shooter and is more comfortable making a play for himself off the dribble, even if Prosper may have the slight edge in regards to his physicality on drives to the rim. Edwards is just as lengthy of a defender as Prosper as well and certainly isn’t a slouch on the defensive end whatsoever, even if he could serve to add a little more muscle to his frame to help him on defense against bigger-bodied wings.

At almost 24-years-old, Edwards is almost two full years older than Prosper, but that may not matter as far as the Mavericks’ future plans are concerned if Edwards is able to step his game up this coming season and Prosper’s offensive game continues to falter like it did in Summer League.

For more Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Kessler Edwards, and the rest of the Dallas Mavericks, stay tuned as we will have you covered with the latest all offseason long.