Basketball team Chicago Bulls and player Kessler Edwards have reportedly reached an agreement on a one-year deal.
Kessler Edwards Signs One-Year Deal with Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have added veteran guard Kessler Edwards to their roster, signing him to a one-year, non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contract. Edwards, a 25-year-old forward, was drafted 44th overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2021 NBA draft.
Having completed his fourth NBA season, Edwards is no longer eligible for a two-way contract. This means that although Exhibit 10 deals can sometimes be converted into two-way contracts before the season, Edwards cannot pursue that path; he must earn a standard NBA contract to remain with Denver.
Edwards spent nearly two full seasons with the Brooklyn Nets before being traded to the Sacramento Kings in February 2023. He then joined the Dallas Mavericks on a two-way contract in August 2024. In 40 games with the Mavs last season, Edwards averaged 4.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 15.2 minutes per contest.
During his time with the injury-riddled Mavs squad from February 10 to March 19, Edwards averaged 8.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 24.8 minutes per night. Edwards also shot career bests of 49.6% from the field, 40.7% from deep, and 92.3% at the foul line last season.
The Nuggets currently have 14 guaranteed contracts, and they might keep roster flexibility. However, Edwards aims to earn a spot beyond an Exhibit 10 deal. Per Spotrac, the Nuggets could potentially offer Edwards a spot on the team as the 15th man, given that they currently have 14 players on guaranteed standard contracts.
The Nuggets have been busy this offseason, having also signed veteran guards Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown. The team made a cost-cutting move in April when they fired head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth, with David Adelman being named the interim head coach before being promoted to head coach in May.
More recently, the Nuggets traded Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for forward Cameron Johnson. Johnson will make $21 million this coming season and $23 million the following campaign. The Nuggets also traded off Michael Porter Jr.'s contract, which has $38.3 million due in 2025-26 and $40.8 million in 2026-27.
With Edwards' addition, the Nuggets will look to strengthen their roster and compete in the Western Conference. Edwards will have the opportunity to prove himself during training camp and preseason games, with the goal of securing a standard NBA contract and a spot on the team's 15-man roster.
- Kessler Edwards, who was drafted by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2021 NBA draft, will aim to secure a standard NBA contract with the Denver Nuggets, having spent time with the Nets, Kings, and Dallas Mavericks in his NBA career.
- Edwards, who registered career bests in shooting during his tenure with the injury-riddled Dallas Mavericks last season, will join other veterans like Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown in the NBA, hoping to contribute to the Nuggets' rebounding efforts and improve their standings in the Western Conference.
- The addition of Edwards to the Denver Nuggets roster marks his fourth NBA team, and as he works towards earning a spot beyond an Exhibit 10 deal, he'll have the chance to showcase his skills in basketball, a sport which he has been a part of since his draft into the NBA.
