Brooklyn Nets Prized Catch Confident Of Team's Chances, Possible Return Hinted

Kevin Durant is looking forward to suiting up for his new team, the Brooklyn Nets. However, the belief is that the earliest the former NBA MVP may return is by the 2020-21 season. Regardless, the 30-year-old is excited to see the Nets play even if he will not be around at the "start of the season".

In an interview with Chris Henderson, Durant shared his thoughts on the Nets for the coming season. He believes that they have a great mix of old and new players, some of whom are expected to step up in his absence.

“Caris [LeVert], Joe Harris, Taurean Prince. Even the older guys like Garrett Temple, Kyrie [Irving], DeAndre [Jordan]. I feel like everybody in this environment is going to step up, especially due to circumstances with me not being available. I think everybody’s going to step up and take it to the next level, we got great coaching, great front office, great fanbase that’s excited for something new. This is a fresh start for everybody I feel.”

Oozing with optimism, there is no denying that the Nets could be one of the surprise teams this season. Surprise in the sense that without Durant, Brooklyn may find rough sailing making it through the Eastern Conference. The defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors along with the Milwaukee Bucks and possibly the Philadelphia 76ers stand in the way. The understanding is that the Nets will have better chances the year after when the two-time NBA champion is back in harness.

And while it may be foolish to think that Durant will rush himself back into the court, pundits have made a big fuss about the interview. This is the part where the second overall pick of the 2007 NBA Draft said that he was "not starting off the season" which has led some to speculate that he could return at some point of the 2019-20 NBA wars.

Some would call it foolish while others may look forward to it. It won't come as a surprise, however, if the Nets choose not to rush him back in action. Some of this was covered in a previous post, especially after he was spotted in Los Angeles seemingly recovering well from his Achilles injury.

Besides, the Nets have ample manpower to figure well. Kyrie Irving will have to double his efforts and there are reliable players like DeAndre Jordan, Caris LeVert and Joe Harris who can carry the load for head coach Kenny Atkinson. Durant could simply suit up and play some minutes just to break him in for the next NBA season. However, that comes with a big cloud of doubt since Brooklyn will surely want to make sure that he is 100-percent fully recovered and ready to spring back into action.