It turns out that we may see Kevin Durant in a Brooklyn Nets uniform this season after all.
According to the New York Post’s Brian Lewis, there is a “growing sentiment” around the NBA that Durant could suit up this season.
The 30-year-old, 10-time All-Star suffered a ruptured Achilles back in June during the NBA Finals as a member of the Golden State Warriors. It was initially believed that Durant would miss the entire 2019-20 season.
Still, he was one of the game’s most coveted free agents after averaging 26 points per game last season with a loaded Warriors team that fell short without him in the Finals to the Toronto Raptors.
Signing with the Nets alongside Kyrie Irving was a league-altering decision, as Brooklyn catapulted from Eastern Conference doormat two years ago, to potential favorite in the next two years.
That two-year timeline though could be sped up more should Durant get on the floor this season.
His rehabilitation has been a speedy one, much faster than most people expected this summer.
Just three months after his surgery, Durant was seen walking without a walker, boot, or limp in New York City on Thursday.
Durant will still miss the beginning of the season, regardless.
The Nets were expected to pencil in Rodions Kurucs, a developing power forward, into Durant’s spot during his absence. However, he’s run into off-court issues as he was arrested earlier this month for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend back in June.
Behind him, Wilson Chandler was suspended for 25 games after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
