Nets sign Kessler Edwards to two-way spot

The Nets have signed Kessler Edwards, the 6’8” swingman out of Pepperdine, to a two-way contract. Edwards becomes Brooklyn’s first two-way contract. They can sign two.

“It feels great. Honestly it’s similar to the feeling I felt on draft night,” said Kessler after the signing. “It was just a sigh of relief and then just coupled with excitement; something I’m very thankful for, but also ready to get to work.”

Edwards will play primarily for Long Island in the G League, but under NBA rules, he can be active for up to 50 NBA games before the team must make a decision to sign him to a standard NBA contract. Unlike in the past, there are no limit on practices, workouts or other activities with the NBA team. Two-way players get half the NBA vets’ minimum, $462,629.

Last week, Sean Marks hinted that he had already worked out one of the two-way deals, saying, “We still have to agree on a two-way position as well.”

Edwards was taken in the Draft with the 44th pick, which the Nets acquired from the Pacers in the 2016 trade for Caris LeVert, one of three second rounders. The other two, Marcus Zegarowski, taken at No. 49, and RaiQuan Gray, taken ten spots later, remain unsigned. The Nets had previously signed their two first round picks, Cam Thomas and Day’Ron Sharpe, before Summer League began. Also, David Duke Jr., who went undrafted, has signed an Exhibit 10 contract, a training camp deal that gives the Nets his G League rights and Duke a signing bonus of up to $50,000.

A native of Rancho Cucamonga, California, the 6’8” Edwards is seen as a 3-and-D prospect. He has appeared in three games with the Nets’ Summer League team in Las Vegas, recording averages of 5.7 points and 4.0 rebounds in 20.5 minutes per game. He totaled 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in 31 minutes in his best Summer League performance, which came in a victory over the Wizards on August 12. He turned 21 last week.

At Pepperdine, Edwards played in 93 career games (85 starts) for the Waves, registering averages of 13.4 points on 47.7 percent shooting from the field, 38.7 percent shooting from 3-point range and 78.8 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 6.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.0 steals in 32.0 minutes per game. As a junior, he saw action in 27 games (26 starts), posting averages of 17.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals in 33.9 minutes per contest.

• BROOKLYN NETS SIGN KESSLER EDWARDS TO TWO-WAY CONTRACT - Brooklyn Nets
• Nets sign second-rounder Kessler Edwards to two-way deal - Sam Evers - SNY