Many assume that Kevin Durant will miss the entire 2019/20 season, but it appears that’s not a given quite yet. GM Sean Marks said it’s “too early” to make a definitive timeline on Durant’s Nets debut.
“A timeline will be given in due time, but as of now, we’re certainly not going to comment on when or if and make any sort of hypotheticals. It’s too early,” Marks said (via Nets Daily).
Durant is familiar with the medical staff in Brooklyn. Dr. Martin O’Malley, a foot and ankle specialist who is the team’s orthopaedic surgeon, performed the surgery to repair Durant’s Achilles. Despite the connection, the former MVP’s decision to join the Nets caught many in the basketball world by surprise, including some within Brooklyn’s front office.
“The Instagram post that he put up [announcing he’d sign with the Nets], we were all sitting in the office. We all got that in real time with you guys. We weren’t even sure if we were getting a meeting that night or if it was going to be a telephone conversation,” Marks said of finding out about Durant’s decision. The GM added that he hadn’t even spoken to Durant’s business partner Rich Kleiman yet.
Here’s more from around the league:
- The Magic are unlikely to have interest in Russell Westbrook, Josh Robbins of The Athletic relays (Twitter link). The long-time Thunder point guard is reportedly open to a trade.
- Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer believes Marvin Williams is the veteran on the Hornets‘ roster most likely to be traded. Williams is making $15MM next season and Bonnell thinks the power forward’s game would mesh well with nearly every roster in the league.
- Amar’e Stoudemire, who worked out in front of a number of teams this week, is serious about returning to the NBA. “I was never really done,’’ Stoudemire said, as Marc Berman of the New York Post relays. “I took kind of a sabbatical leave and I went to go learn over in Israel for two and a half years or so. So I went there and when I was still learning, I was able to also play basketball and keep myself in shape. I always stayed in top shape. I didn’t really remove myself too far from being in basketball shape.”
Williams will probably be an option for any playoff team next year. Would’ve been an option for the Bucks before Leuer was bought out to help bring in more shooting.
It would be awesome if Amar’e played well again. Wonder how his game has evolved
If Stoudemire can be what he was with the Heat a few years ago.. he can earn a roster spot. He was energy off the bench and instant post up offense. It was like Whiteside never left the court when he was still good lol
Amare started. You only remember Whiteside starting b/c he was really good in his role off the bench that year, which is what got him paid
Theoretically, if the Heat and OKC were to matchup in a trade, could OKC send back the 2 draft picks they own in 2021 and the protected 2023, if the Heat send them 2020 and 2022 picks, thereby allowing them to potentially include 2024 and 2026 if it were necessary?
Yes.
Butler and Westbrook might be good enough to get you to the Conference Finals against Philly,Boston, or Indiana. They should chase Dwight while they are it.