There’s been a growing buzz around the league Kevin Durant may push hard to be back on an NBA court before the end of this season. He’s coming off a torn Achilles suffered in the NBA Finals, and the average recovery time for that has him back just before the end of the season, so...
The Nets aren’t counting on it. They are not ruling it out, either.
The Nets, who will head to China for a preseason game, had their media day Tuesday and general manager Sean Marks was asked about Durant’s return. From Brian Lewis of the New York Post:
Sean Marks says “the expectations are that Kevin (Durant) will be out for the year” but adds “he’ll have a large say.” #Nets #nba
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) September 24, 2019
The Nets also understand Durant wants to play, and it’s not impossible, but they are not banking on it.
“It’s obvious he wants to play but there’s more at stake here. This is a long term approach... it’ll be a group decision, including Kevin [Durant] himself.” - Marks
— Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) September 24, 2019
Marks also said he has not spoken to Durant about the game where he tore his Achilles.
Nets GM Sean Marks says he's never talked to Kevin Durant about what happened in Golden State that led up to him in tearing his Achilles in June.
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) September 24, 2019
"I don't think he wants to talk about it," Marks said. "That's in the past."
The Nets are an interesting team with Kyrie Irving getting another shot to test his leadership skills with a talented young roster, which includes Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert, Joe Harris, Spencer Dinwiddie, and others.
They should be a playoff team, but throw in Durant — even 85 percent of Durant — and this team becomes a potential threat to Philadelphia and Milwaukee on top of the East.
Which is why Marks tried to deflect the question of Durant’s return. He doesn’t want it hanging over the head of the team all season long, so say he is out for the season and be done with it. Except, everyone will still be watching, and waiting, because a Durant return is a game changer.
