Free-agent forward Kessler Edwards is finalizing an agreement to join Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv, according to BasketNews, after earlier reports from ONE indicated talks were advancing.
Edwards, 25, entered the NBA as the 44th overall pick in 2021 out of Pepperdine. He has played 178 regular-season games for the Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings, and Dallas Mavericks. Last season in Dallas, the 6-foot-8 wing averaged 4.2 points and 2.9 rebounds in 15.2 minutes over 40 appearances, including 18 starts, and shot 49.6% from the field, 40.7% from three, and 92.3% at the foul line.
No longer eligible for a two-way contract, Edwards did not secure an NBA deal this year and instead signed with the Grand Rapids Gold, Denver’s G League affiliate. In 30 games for the Gold, he has produced 14.1 points and 8.1 rebounds across 33.6 minutes while shooting 50.2% overall and 40.3% from beyond the arc.
Hapoel Tel Aviv has been searching for front-court depth ahead of the EuroLeague player registration deadline. The club previously explored options such as Nigel Hayes-Davis and Dario Šarić, both recently waived by NBA teams.
The Israeli side is 16-11 in EuroLeague play, occupying sixth place with four teams just a half-game behind at 16-12. Domestically, Hapoel holds a 15-2 record and is competing with Maccabi Tel Aviv (15-1) for the top seed in the Israeli League.
Source: HoopsRumors
