Kessler

Edwards

Gafford has been out since just before the All-Star break, leaving the Mavericks light on options at the center position. The doubtful tag suggests he won’t play, with Kai Jones remaining the replacement in the starting lineup. However, Jones is questionable for Wednesday, which may result in the Mavericks relying more on Kessler Edwards.

Jones fell hard on his back during Thursday’s game against the Magic and did not return. If he cannot play against the Bulls, the Mavericks will have to rely more on Dwight Powell and Kessler Edwards, even if Anthony Davis (groin) is available.

Jones has been a consistent starter for Dallas when healthy, but he won’t be available for the remainder of Thursday’s game. Dwight Powell and Kessler Edwards should play more in his absence, with Anthony Davis also seeing extra minutes at center.

AD is back after sitting out the second night of the Mavs’ back-to-back on Thursday. However, with PJ Washington sidelined for a second-straight game, Naji Marshall will remain in the starting unit. Kessler Edwards will return to playing a reserve role, which will eliminate the streaming value that he held.

Williams has reached double figures in eight of his last nine games, providing consistent scoring whether he’s starting or coming off the bench. Over the past three weeks, the Mavericks guard has provided sixth-round value in nine-cat formats. The issue for Williams is his status as a two-way player, as he is closing in on being active for 50 games. Unless Dallas were to ink him to a standard contract, and they would have to waive someone to make this happen, Williams is difficult to trust in standard leagues. Speaking of the 50-game limit, Kessler Edwards (four rebounds in 18 minutes) hit that number on Tuesday.

The Mavericks are without PJ Washington and Anthony Davis, opening up two spots in the starting lineup. While Marshall has been worth rostering in standard leagues whether he starts or comes off the bench, that has not been the case for Edwards. Also, with this being the 50th game Edwards has been active for this season, this may be his last appearance in a Mavericks uniform unless he’s given a standard contract.

While Davis was recently sent to the G League for practice and 5-on-5 work, his chances of returning to action on Monday appear slim. Kai Jones has been Dallas’ starting center for the last two games and is worth a look in deep leagues. Also benefitting from Davis’ absence has been Kessler Edwards, who started when Jones was also out due to injury.

Dallas is listing Edwards as inactive Friday against the Pistons. The 25-year-old small forward has been a starter for the Mavericks, but players on two-way contracts are only eligible for 50 games in a season and Edwards is already at 49. The Mavs are saving Edwards’ eligibility for another night.

Washington has missed the Mavericks’ last seven games with a sprained ankle, so Kessler Edwards has been the starter on most nights. If Washington is available, either he or Naji Marshall will return to the bench. Marshall offers a higher fantasy ceiling than Edwards, whether he starts or comes off the bench.

Powell replaced Max Christie in the starting five for Friday’s game, and the Mavericks may have been better off sticking with the smaller lineup. The veteran center offered little value in his role, while Christie (two points, four rebounds) shot 1-of-13 from the field. Add in Kessler Edwards (12 points, six rebounds, one steal, four blocks and two three-pointers) having a productive night, and there’s no need to consider streaming Powell for Sunday’s game against the 76ers.