ESPN analyst Jay Williams doesn’t profess to have any inside info on whether his friend Kevin Durant will aim to return this summer from an Achilles tear, but suggested to Marc Berman of The New York Post that the condensed nature of a resumed 2019/20 schedule may be a deterrent for the injured Nets star.
“It’s one thing to come back and start the beginning of next season where there’s time and space between games and (you can) keep your body ramped up the right way,” Williams said. “But someone coming back off an injury and (going) right into a playoff scenario, I don’t think it’s feasible or fair on Kevin himself. But Kevin is his own man. He’ll do what he wants to do.”
Durant’s return from last year’s Achilles injury had initially been expected to happen at the start of the 2020/21 season, but there has been speculation during the hiatus about the possibility of him making it back this summer. KD’s manager Rich Kleiman has repeatedly stated it’s not realistic to expect the star forward to return before next season, though neither he nor GM Sean Marks has entirely ruled out the possibility.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- The Raptors are in touch with officials at the city and provincial level in the hopes of being able to reopen their practice facility for individual workouts, writes Doug Smith of The Toronto Star. As Smith notes, Toronto Mayor John Tory hopes to have an answer for the team by the end of the week. “A couple of athletes and a couple of trainers, quite literally, so you’d have a very small group of people in there,” Tory said. “That proposal, that we worked on back and forth with the Raptors, is under very active consideration. I think the discussions have been going well.”
- In his latest mailbag, Ian Begley of SNY.tv answers questions on Leon Rose‘s roster-building philosophy, the Knicks‘ decision to retain GM Scott Perry, and where the team stands on Frank Ntilikina, among other topics.
- In a pair of articles for The Athletic, Jay King and John Hollinger examine Gordon Hayward‘s contract situation and a potential max extension for Jayson Tatum, and Hollinger explains why he’s not particularly bullish on the Celtics‘ group of rookies.
The Nets would be best served just holding KD out until next season. They’re not as strong as at least Milwaukee, Toronto, Boston, nor Miami. With Kyrie still sidelined as well, they might as well start fresh in 2021
Kyrie is t injured anymore he said yesterday he can’t wait to be out balling and killing dudes again. I wouldn’t be surprised if KD was fit he played
Don’t count on Kyrie staying healthy.
You must mean literally killing dudes. The guy is the ultimate prima donna crybaby
Am I the only Knicks fan that’s tired of hearing about KD. I’m hoping for a setback since went to Brooklyn. I’m still bitter for Riley going to South Beach
That’s not cool dude
He’s a Yankees fan.
Lol thats like being mad for losing the lotto even though you didnt buy a ticket.
Blame management and ownership not KD and Pat. Shame on you.
or blame yourself for being a fan of inept franchise
Very true but I can be bitter.
Yes, your god given right as a person with a passion for NYC. Every failing you see must be voiced and hotly attributed to someone outside your circle. If it’s really bad, wish for misfortune to befall others. NYC #1 all the time! Suck it, losers.